Mosuo Ethnic Group 摩梭

Mosuo Ethnic Minority

The Mosuo (Chinese: 摩梭; pinyin: Mósuō) are a small ethnic group living in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China, close to the border with Tibet. The Mosuo population of about 50,000 live near Lugu Lake in the Tibetan Himalayas. The Mosuo have officially been included as part of the Naxi nationality. The Mosuo deeply resent this and despise being called Naxi. The two groups have a different language, religion, and culture.

The Mosuo have a matriarchal and matrilineal society. The azhu system means all property and assets are transferred to the female side of the family, from mother to youngest daughter. Even the family name is passed down from the mother. Instead of taking a husband, Mosuo women are able to have "walk-in" relationships. Men are only allowed to visit their lovers at night. They must leave the woman's house early the next morning and return to their mother's home. If a child is born, the responsibility to raise the child is borne by the mother and her brothers. Often the identity of the father is not known at all. Despite pressure from the government to discontinue the azhu system, a 1994 study revealed 60% of the Mosuo still conform to this way of life.

Explore the Mosuo Around Lugu Lake

Dazu Village Mosuo People

Our first contact with the Mosuo was at Dazu Village. We spent the night at the village, and they entertained us with dance that evening.

Gesa Village Mosuo People

We arrived at Gesa Village just after sunrise. It was a gorgeous day and made the village even more beautiful. Some of the tradition is unique to this group. Mosuo’s holy mountain Gemu Goddess Mountain 泸沽湖格姆女神山 watches over the village.

Shannan Village Mosuo People

It was unfortunate that it was raining the day we visited this Mosuo clan on our second trip to Grass Lake. We were told we couldn’t take photos. But after Melissa connected with the matriarch, she gave me permission.

Mosuo of Lugu Lake 泸沽湖

Lugu Lake 泸沽湖 offers a rich diversity of ethnic minorities. The most dominant is that of the Mosuo people. Here are some photos of the Mosuo taken around Lugu Lake.

Guozhuang Party

Guozhuang Party is a tradition of Lugu Lake entertainment project, is a good time for Mosuo women to choose their lover. Men and women join hands in a circle, in the middle there is lit bonfires and they dance. The girls are well-dressed, all accessories are put in their body and wrap black cloth in their heads, wear a white pleated skirts, sing love songs, then serve a bowl of liquor "Sulima" and ask lover publicly pledged loyalty.

Mosuo Lover Ritual

The ritual for a man to visit the Mosuo lady is hard to believe. There is an event when the available ladies and men get together. If a guy likes a lady, he will give her a silver comb that the lady would wear on her head. If she likes him, she will keep the gift. If not, she returns it. Wearing the comb means she is “taken”.

Unlike the rest of the world, the man will never be known by her family. He will visit only at night and must leave before day break. Not sure what happens if he gets caught at the house. He can only get into her room by climbing through her window. Most of their rooms are at least on the second floor.

For him to visit he must bring a few items: a knife, a piece of meat. The knife is to help him pry open the window after he gets ot it. The meat is disarm thier alarm system: their dogs. He throws the meat and while they eat, the man climbs. At any time, the lady could return the gift and she will become avialble. Hence this is why it’s called “walk-in marriages”

Matriarch’s Room

We weren’t allow to take photos at first, but got permission later. There are photos of the matriarch in the foyer with some of the dignitaries that have visited her clan. The rack of dried pork are gifts from the man seeing one of the ladies in her clan.

Baby Deliver Room

When a member of the clan is ready to deliver baby, they are taken to a room on the other side of the door. If baby and/or mother survive, they are brought back to the room. If one dies, they are taken out the back door. Also because there is much blood during a delivery, they want to keep the main room clean.