On the shores of Lugu Lake, the Mosuo princess

Author: Feng Xuemin Mei Zi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: This book takes you to explore this wonderful land of women! The Mosuo people (a branch of the Naxi ethnic group) live by Lake Lugu. The Mosuo people's residential buildings are built with stacked wooden pillars in a well-patterned style, with wooden boards serving as roofing tiles. Each tile is about 0.8 meters long and 0.2 to 0.4 meters wide. Inside, the fire pit is the center of the family, with spaces for the elderly and children. Another two-story building serves as guest quarters, with the upper floor occupied by young and middle-aged women and their Azhu (friends). Due to historical reasons, the Mosuo people still retain the Azhu marriage system, which has characteristics of early pair marriage, as well as some features of the matrilineal clan system. This marriage can last for decades in terms of time or be as short as one or two days in duration. In terms of quantity, one can have one or two Azhu partners or even more. The relationship is based on voluntary union and can be easily dissolved. If the two parties no longer interact, the Azhu relationship is considered dissolved. Correspondingly, the family is composed of matrilineal relatives bound by blood ties. All property within the family is inherited by members of the matrilineal bloodline, and children remain with the mother's family, taking the mother's surname. Men's identities are as maternal uncles or maternal great-uncles. Women hold a prominent position in family life and production management, enjoying high status.