There are about 40,000 Mosuo people. For centuries they have lived on the banks of Lugu Lake, which borders China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and in the surrounding mountains, grouped together in beautiful villages filled with wooden homes.
At 2,700m above sea level, and with the nearest city about six hours’ drive away, the region’s remoteness has led to the customs not found anywhere else in the world.
One of the most special cultural traditions is zouhun or “walking marriages”. After a coming-of-age ceremony, Mosuo females can choose their lovers, having as many or as few as they wish within their lifetime.
During these “marriages”, men visit the woman’s home upon invitation, and stay the night in a “flower room”, leaving at daybreak to return to their own home. Couples do not live together. Babies are brought up in the female’s family, with brothers and uncles providing the father’s role.
_______ Traditionally, they were often away from the village, travelling in trade carts to sell local produce. They would also be responsible for house building and fishing, as well as the killing of animals such as chickens and ducks.
Most importantly, still today, while they are not responsible for their own children, they are financially responsible for the nephews and nieces living in their own households.
Men still use political power in wider society, but women are the heads of their home and make decisions about family resources.
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