China's Last Matriarchy: The Land Where Women Rule

Summary

The script explores the Mosuo tribe in southwest China, known for matriarchal society and 'walking marriages.' It documents their unique family structure where women are heads of households and property is inherited by daughters. The tribe practices Shamanistic Buddhism and is undergoing modernization with increased tourism. Despite changes, traditional handicrafts are still valued. The script reflects on the tribe's balance of ancient customs and modern influences.

Takeaways

• 🏔️ The Mosuo people live in a remote area near the Burmese border in southwest China, known for their matriarchal society.
• 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Mosuo tribe, with around 40,000 people, practices a unique family structure where women are in charge of the household and inheritance.
• 🚹🚺 'Walking marriages' are a cultural practice where women can have multiple partners throughout their lives without the concept of traditional marriage.
• 🚗 Despite the remote location, the area has seen an influx of tourists, bringing modern amenities like hotels and hair salons.
• 🏞️ Lugu Lake is a significant place for the Mosuo people and is a popular tourist attraction, including a famous 'walking marriage bridge'.
• 👵 The elderly women in Mosuo society are highly respected and become the central figures in family and community life as they age.
• 👗 The Mosuo are known for their beautiful and colorful traditional clothing, which is also shipped worldwide.
• 🌾 Mosuo women are responsible for a significant amount of labor, including farming and household duties, and are integral to the family's self-sufficiency.
• 🏡 The Mosuo live in matrilocal residences, where men do not live with their wives' families and women's brothers and uncles take on the father role.
• 👶 Children in Mosuo society are raised by their mother's family, and the concept of divorce and shame for single mothers is non-existent.
• 🌐 There's a tension between maintaining ancient Mosuo traditions and the desire of the younger generation to embrace modern China and potentially leave their homeland.

Q & A

Where is the Massau tribe located?

The Massau tribe is located in the southwest of China, near the Burmese border, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

What is unique about the Massau family structure?

The Massau family structure is unique because it is a matriarchy where women are in charge of the house and inherited skills are passed down from mother to daughter.

What is a 'walking marriage'?

A 'walking marriage' is a practice among the Massau tribe that allows women to have as many boyfriends as they please throughout their lives, instead of traditional marriages.

How do Massau women feel about their role in the matriarchy?

While Massau women are in charge and inherit property, they also work very hard, taking on responsibilities such as farming, cooking, and caring for the family.

What is the significance of the 'walking marriage bridge'?

The 'walking marriage bridge' is a famous landmark where people go on dates, symbolizing the Massau tradition of walking marriages.

How do Massau men feel about living in a matriarchy?

The script does not explicitly state how Massau men feel about living in a matriarchy, but it mentions that men do not leave the family home and take on the father role for their sisters' children.

What are the Massau people's views on traditional handicrafts?

The Massau people highly value traditional handicrafts, as seen through the work of Ikeda Zima, whose crafts are shipped worldwide and who holds an important position in the community.

What is the impact of tourism on the Massau culture?

Tourism is having a significant impact on the Massau culture, with an increase in hotels, roads, and even an airport under construction, which may lead to a loss of traditional ways of life.

What are the Massau people's thoughts on modern life and traditions?

The Massau people have mixed feelings about modern life and traditions. While some embrace modern conveniences, there is a concern that ancient traditions may be lost as young people are drawn to the opportunities of the new China.

How do the Massau women's roles change as they age?

As Massau women age, they are rewarded with becoming the most important figure in the household, often taking on the role of the respected grandmother surrounded by her family.

What are the Massau people's views on gender balance and relationships?

The Massau people have a unique perspective on gender balance and relationships, with a system that acknowledges the fleeting nature of love and promotes a form of balance where women are appreciated for their work and are central to family life.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Journey to the Matriarchal Mosuo Tribe

The script begins with a journey to the mountains in southwest China near the Burmese border to meet the Mosuo people, known for their matriarchal society. The narrator plans to spend a week discovering life in one of the world's last matriarchies. The Mosuo tribe, with a population of 40,000, resides in the Himalayan foothills, practicing Sabaton Buddhism and having unique family structures. Women are in charge of the household and inheritance, while men are not traditionally responsible for family stability. The concept of 'walking marriages' allows women to have multiple partners throughout their lives. The journey to Lugu Lake is described as an eight-hour drive on high-altitude dirt roads in a less developed region of China. The presence of modern amenities like cars, hotels, and hair salons contrasts with the expectation of a remote, traditional lifestyle. The script also mentions a visit to a local museum to learn more about the Mosuo culture.

05:01

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Life and Family Dynamics in Mosuo Society

This paragraph delves into the family dynamics of the Mosuo tribe, where men do not leave their family homes and the role of the father is taken by the woman's brothers and uncles. Women are expected to provide for the family. The narrator is curious about how men feel living in a matriarchy and learns about their daily lives through a boat ride with some local men. It discusses how Mosuo women work hard and are self-sufficient, growing and preparing their own food. The script also mentions a visit to a Mosuo woman's home for dinner, where the absence of men is noted, and all the women participate in meal preparations. The narrator reflects on the Mosuo concept of family and how it differs from traditional marriages.

10:01

👵‍🦳 The Role of Elderly Women in Mosuo Culture

The script focuses on the role of elderly women in Mosuo society, who are highly respected and central to family life. It describes a visit to a renowned craftswoman, Ikeda Zima, who holds an important position in the community. The Mosuo people's beautiful and colorful clothing is highlighted, and the narrator speculates on the reasons behind this aesthetic preference. The paragraph also touches on the Mosuo's traditional handicrafts and whether younger generations are interested in maintaining these practices. The narrator seeks to understand the balance between ancient traditions and modern life in the Mosuo culture.

15:12

🛤️ The Impact of Modernization on Mosuo Traditions

This paragraph discusses the rapid modernization happening in Lugu Lake, with new hotels, roads, and an airport under construction. The narrator senses that traditional Mosuo life may be changing as a result of these developments. There is a concern that ancient Mosuo traditions might be disappearing. The script contrasts the hard work of Mosuo women with the perceived benefits of living in a matriarchy, where women inherit property and are supported by their families. The narrator reflects on the potential loss of charm due to modernization and the appreciation of Mosuo women's hard work.

20:12

💃‍♀️ Mosuo Youth: Tradition vs. Modernity

The final paragraph explores the challenges faced by young Mosuo people as they navigate between ancient traditions and the allure of modern China. The script describes a dance event that has become more of a tourist attraction than a traditional gathering. It also mentions a visit to a local pub and the narrator's interactions with young Mosuo women who express their hopes for the future and their views on the traditional way of life. The paragraph concludes with the narrator's observations on the Mosuo culture being in transition and the uncertainty of whether their traditions will survive the influence of modernity.

Keywords

💡Matriarchy

A matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power. In the context of the video, the Mosuo people are described as living in a matriarchal society where women are in charge of the household and inheritance is passed down through the female line. This is contrary to many societies that follow a patriarchal structure. The video explores how this impacts daily life and family dynamics within the Mosuo culture.

💡Mosuo

The Mosuo are an ethnic group living in the foothills of the Himalayas near the Burmese border in Southwest China. They are the focus of the video, which aims to understand their unique culture and practices. The Mosuo are known for their matrilineal family structure and 'walking marriages,' which are a key aspect of their society.

💡Walking Marriages

Walking marriages are a cultural practice among the Mosuo people where women can have multiple partners throughout their lives without the formal institution of marriage. This concept is explored in the video as a way to understand the fluidity of relationships in Mosuo society and how it contrasts with more traditional marriage systems.

💡Himalayas

The Himalayas is a mountain range in Asia and the home of the Mosuo people as mentioned in the video. The Himalayas provide a geographical context for the remote location of the Mosuo and contribute to the isolation that has allowed their unique culture to persist.

💡Sabaton Buddhism

Sabaton Buddhism is the religious practice of the Mosuo people, as noted in the script. This form of Buddhism influences their cultural practices and worldview. The video uses this term to provide insight into the spiritual beliefs that shape the Mosuo way of life.

💡Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake is a significant geographical location near the Mosuo people's habitat. The video discusses the lake as a place of natural beauty and as a site for cultural practices such as the 'walking marriage bridge,' which is a place where Mosuo people traditionally go on dates.

💡Tourism

Tourism is a recurring theme in the video, as it impacts the Mosuo culture and way of life. The script mentions an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Lugu Lake, which brings economic opportunities but also threatens the preservation of traditional Mosuo practices.

💡Handicrafts

Handicrafts are traditional arts and crafts that are highlighted in the video as an important aspect of Mosuo culture. The script mentions a local craftswoman whose work is shipped worldwide, indicating the value of these crafts both culturally and economically.

💡Organic Food

The term 'organic food' is used in the video to describe the Mosuo's self-sufficient lifestyle where they produce their own food. This is contrasted with the concept of supermarkets, which are still relatively new to the Mosuo, emphasizing their traditional and sustainable way of living.

💡Gender Balance

Gender balance refers to the equal distribution of power and responsibilities between men and women. The video discusses how the Mosuo society has found a form of gender balance through their matriarchal structure, where women are in charge but also bear significant responsibilities.

💡Transition

Transition in the video refers to the changes occurring in Mosuo society due to modernization and increased contact with the outside world. The script mentions young Mosuo people leaving for cities and the potential loss of traditional practices, indicating a cultural transition.

Highlights

The Massau people live in a remote area near the Burmese border in southwest China, known for their unique matriarchal society.

The Massau tribe, with 40,000 people, practices Sabaton Buddhism and is famous for their unique family structure.

In Massau culture, women are in charge of the house and inheritance, with a system of 'walking marriages'.

The journey to Lugu Lake, a Massau community, is an eight-hour drive on high-altitude dirt roads.

Surprisingly, despite the remote location, there is a significant presence of Chinese tourists.

Massau women are responsible for family stability, in contrast to traditional marriages where men are the providers.

The Massau have a matrilineal inheritance system, with skills passed down from mother to daughter.

The Massau's walking marriage bridge is a famous spot for dates, but now mostly frequented by tourists.

Massau men do not traditionally leave their family home, with uncles and brothers taking on the father role.

Massau women work hard, but they are appreciated and become the most important figure in the household as they age.

The Massau community is self-sufficient, producing their own food and relying less on supermarkets.

Ikeda Zima, a Massau craftswoman, holds an important position in the community and her work is shipped worldwide.

Young Massau people are interested in traditional handicrafts, but also influenced by modern culture.

The Massau culture is in transition, with young people torn between ancient traditions and modern China.

The Massau's matriarchy is seen as a way of glorifying housewives, where women do most of the hard work.

Despite the challenges, the Massau have found a form of gender balance in their society.

The Massau's traditional dances are now mostly for entertainment, serving the tourism industry.

The Massau face the dilemma of preserving their ancient traditions amidst rapid development and modernization.

Transcripts

[Music]

we're high up in the mountains in the

south west of China near the Burmese

border and we're on a way to meet the

masseur people who live in a remote

place which is also known as the land

where women rule we're gonna spend a

week there to find out what life is like

in one of the world's last matriarch

ease

[Music]

the 40,000 people strong masu tribe live

in the foothills of the Himalayas

practice sabaton Buddhism and are most

famous for the unique family structure

instead of giving the responsibility of

family stability to men whose tendency

to go wherever their dick points can be

unreliable it's the women who are in

charge of the house and inherited skills

from mother to daughter and rather than

traditional marriages they have

something called walking marriages

allowing women to have as many

boyfriends as they please throughout

their lives to get to lugu lake from the

nearest city legion is an eight hour

drive on mainly high-altitude dirt roads

this is one of the least developed

regions in China but no nearby railroads

so when we arrived we were surprised to

see so many Chinese tourists so

different than what I had imagined all

the way here felt like going back in

time but everyone just looks completely

normal aside from some badass grandmas

and there are lots of cars and hotels

and hair salons to find out more about

the masseur we headed to the local

museum what sorry that you've been

pushing through John the jumpers or

Tormentor mostly I know you guys saw

boys she followed your mom also Chen Yin

is the true that you get Aoife Chinese

gentleman talking about to move to touch

our to move on to more winning and what

makes the Maserati Archaea matriarchy

satellite imagery of Susheela the most

solitary no financial woman so to Nevada

so time to manage the Constitution are

never children with you ho not woman -

sir is that your follows our show you

assisted of Kanchana our chocolate

natural face of another

shishun arsenalfan thought you find a

shaman sofa your hands are choked with

out to see which other cynical to meet a

fine education to attract

the girl from the museum told us to

check out the lake and the famous

walking marriage bridge where people go

on dates

rather than starstruck lovers the bridge

was full of tourists taking selfies even

I became a tourist attraction what do

you think about the culture here in my

charcoal culture mystery do you think

it's different being a woman here than

in the rest of China do you think women

are happier here

contributing to the boost in domestic

tourism is the fascination with the

Mosuo way of life that's often been

scandalized in a rata sighs it seemed

like the only masseur around where the

girls selling barbecue so had a chat

with one of them to find out if the

bridge was still used for romancing

Elissa did you ever date from the on the

bridge no but I'm laying a quick you

can't imagine my mother collects many

before Jimmy Garoppolo sensitive has an

important you know good

that's a healthy outlook unlike in

traditional marriages in which couples

live together and historically the man

will be the provider the masseur never

leave the family home and is the woman's

brothers and uncles who take on the

father role still that often means the

women have to provide I was curious to

know how the men felt about living in a

matriarchy so we got some guys to take

us out on a boat ride

a typical masseur first day the second

heads of our training be careful where

inertia press or are canta you know like

a pop universe for your show yoga

changing over one you know it's hot

anywhere Evander

so romantic

very romantic things changed in terms of

how you proceed

you look at artistic oh my god Shemp are

you going to get into law I'm a search

on useless a yeah and gently :

this is all you shouldn't let you pass

economies forum about the apartment why

your is so funny missile coming up

yo so women here works really hard do

you men have more spare time it's all

Quinta

Sonia I said so much these days most

boss who are monogamous but in the past

taking many lovers was common and still

isn't considered a big deal after the

boat ride loser invited me to her house

for dinner

she's 32 has a son and lives in her

family hope with her mom's sisters and

all their kids there were no men around

all the women got involved in the dinner

preparations it was fascinating to see

how her family was completely

self-sufficient bringing every meal from

field to table on the road the concept

of supermarkets is still pretty new to

them and many mas who make less than 200

dollars a year so they're relying on

producing their own food

[Music]

they're putting in like this much

smarter dish

[Music]

just covered in pot that's why it's so

tasty I don't understand it everyone

here is super escapee though

delicious

nothing enemy chocolate eligos in turn

reduce your time didn't you didn't you

say in London where I live a meal like

this would be super expensive because

it's all locally produced homegrown

organic good and so nice yeah I got like

this issue and pepper so how long have

you lived in this house wanted me to

logician it well for the eighth time I

work for Trent well push you that

response

well could you tell mama attention will

meet the 18 solar Santa three

generations

it is gonna set that him you have to say

to him it was a super Fujiyama Jimmy two

days to sing for my mama and daddy may

will prolong and I tell me will to

pantiagua mama Jenny McCarthyism and

your partner's the father of your kids

do they they don't live here with you do

you only had one partner but some would

have had many walking marriages and have

children with many most women just like

the women men stay with their own

families and take care of their sister's

kid but they can be part of their

biological children's lives if they want

to modify your sweet educate mama HSN

qua perfidia yo mama is requesting total

at the Kotel awakened

holoku Haiti Chile Loco this is a winema

so can wash a cyclist in Hawaii State

Payton defied a court reporter Jackie

Cain a supertaster mawashi article is

open Aquajet future cha cha delecia

most of the new hotel exhibition this is

the fourth a total of eight hits of the

bed

the women who have worked really hard in

the fields and carrying heavy loads and

cooking and taking care of a family are

then rewarded when they're older by

becoming the most important figure in

the household the grandma and everyday

she's surrounded by her entire family

and everyone just seems so happy the

next morning we were invited over to the

mostest most famous crafts woman called

Ikeda Zima who also works for the

government and holds an important

position in the community the mosula

we're really beautiful colorful clothes

do you think that this is because it's a

lot Cherokee and that women like things

to be beautiful you're Wesen I'm a lot

thanks Yaya watch what you're doing this

animation

yeah you did it not gonna be just random

come on AHA Tanja that your friend I put

your suits in the neighborhood now how

long the other table find that they get

along well that's a ton of machine

shooted by their long mayor 20 of them

so they show 400 run - oh for sure that

might be true yeah

Akita Zemus work is so famous her

blankets and clothes are shipped all

over the world I wanted to know if the

young wasps who were as fascinated by

the traditional handicraft as I was

Samet by nitrogen also named Beaufort

Simon the world watches for some it says

to the patient that you could good

Saturday

it's a piles and piles of muscle

attempted burglary Tina British brand

called Burberry just another so many

funny see you trainee central Idaho

China Shao Qiang kokoity taiga are the

young girls being taught how to Eve is

there an interest in it you can download

into quiz I hope good city manager your

ticket I mean shittaka justice amazing

kinda what is your short summer payment

so that you turn Susie how I sent you

and there's a jato kazamia - you take

away

that's not not you tell me to paint so

you are you at have metal rush or is it

a problem that so many of the young

people are more interested in the

outside world

Oh Josh I ain't on a quarantine you're a

loser charlie me are not happy sure your

chin to shoulder mayor ginger show drew

the hot hydro Tama the Damacio muscle

women were they warriors to more Sonya

and Hersch the kuan-yin in the Sun that

went here top or bottom

push off me it was interesting to see

someone so in touch both with ancient

traditions and modern life I wanted to

know her thoughts on women's social

status in Moscow a culture Casey Casey

Alicia hi Nick thought y'all sis you

don't don't wanna use you granny

or soya and a hot soya two people show

me

so much what's y'all is that okay

yeah he's Elizabeth hyung there's a Jag

a bellboy

if I would enter a walking marriage who

at your son

what would my life be like you create

chapada honey it's awesome what okay

yeah no honey we would carry me a

lot on my continued candy melt okay

we'll make sure it can ship or whether

you're in China the most romantic life

has in the past often been described as

promiscuous you're hot you're hot I

would yeah yeah oh my how much - sure so

questions about someone Yamaha Tahoe

that I don't say Toyama now what so

Natasha

fufu daga me Oh Popeye them your child

for this how many your chance for former

positions echizen-ya mou-chan

they're doing more so DeLoach a pitcher

shrink-ray yellow euphonic more so that

what I should changing that to you'd see

sweetie she ain't in the heat off the

hole will meet you should we chat here

huh

Donna Sawyer that disappoints you -

totally selfish totally she also washer

when we left IQ dizziness workshop I

decided to talk to the oldest generation

of Massa women who could tell us about

the old days before they had roads or an

electricity so I'm it up with losers

mother who offered to show me around

[Music]

lugu lake was scenic but it was also

being massively remodeled as more hotels

roads in an airport were under

construction

I got the feeling we might be the last

film crew to capture life in lugu lake

before the tourists invade on a whole

new level

see you love my you should see ho ho

howdy ho ho ho t large low I should see

you tomorrow

are you worried that with all these

changes and all these new opportunities

for young people that the ancient muscle

traditions are disappearing Tommy Tommy

come up with you kitty I was under the

impression that in a matriarchy the

women will be treated like Queens and

the men would be doing most of the hard

work but it seems like women are working

way harder here Jay a nudie nudie see

you to channel hero get your julia has

inning of quoi Queenie

you learn more talk or tour tonight

amore time after she loses mom proudly

took me out to the field she'd worked

and farmed her whole life well yeah yeah

you sure culture needs to fire either

you can't that be Sheila do you do this

all day

you must have such muscles I mean look

at this place it's like ridiculously

beautiful and organic and everything but

it's sort of lost a bit of its charm

to me after having had tea with the

grandmas because I can't help but

feeling that matriarchy here is just a

way of glorifying housewives and the

women works so hard but at least they're

being appreciated for what they're doing

they're the ones inheriting the property

and it's pretty sensible actually you'll

never have a woman on the street with

her kids not knowing where to go how to

feed them and they're always getting

lots of help from their families so

there are no divorces

there's no slut-shaming there's the sort

of acknowledgement of how love is

something fleeting and in their own way

they have found some form of gender

balance I guess to find out how the

younger girls felt about the very

traditional way of life that Damacio is

the elite we caught up with our museum

guide Kim and her best friend Zima both

in the early 20s into the juvenile game

how's your teaching on Twitter adonijah

I just I'm sure I'm in catch them so

what are you hopes for the future war to

survive has food and so on the job

transcendental Trisha

yeah young girl show but they ship

nature that's a war whatever could you

put we had your Darwin in Navarre

congratulations

we companion Bernstein Jackie Jones

[Music]

oh I'm getting all dressed up to go to

Masood it's really exciting I hope I'm

not too big for to clubs I only imagined

out see you guys have like you you have

smartphones you listen to pop music and

you like Twilight and things like that

what do you grandmothers think about

that come on looking at you in a movie

you don't you let your eye open manna

new telephoto man or woman part

Ron so there's any sort of flirting

happen at these dances mentally often so

a man does my show is cute what are the

codes also show each other behind you so

I do this three times with my finger if

I think someone's cute

okay so who's your dream boy or pajama

shirt on Rohan young Hank what the

tup for like the k-pop stars

chances of Hatta Rajasa fine your lies

no more than teach me to dunwyn boys

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

the dance is used to be away from also

to flirt but these days like everything

else it seemed to mainly service

entertainment for tourists it was our

last night

so we all went to the local pub to say

goodbye have you ever experienced they

told us almost 80% of young mas will

leave for bigger cities where they often

get married and lead mainstream lives

also home Superman saw so much of the

channel - it's a you trip on

Jeremy from Jerusalem if you would go to

a bigger city would you stay there and

try to find a wife there and the light

there when you come back

young lugu lake is a place in transition

and the young masa we met seemed

frustrated about being caught between

ancient tradition and the temptations of

the new China at their fingertips

although their lives were far from

perfect they were just as annoyed with

social structures as anyone else they

definitely had something special and it

was unclear if their traditions would

survive

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

you