China's Last Matriarchy: The Land Where Women Rule
Summary
TLDRThe 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
- đïž The Mosuo people live in a remote area near the Burmese border in southwest China, known for their matriarchal society.
- đ©âđ©âđ§âđŠ The Mosuo tribe, with around 40,000 people, practices a unique family structure where women are in charge of the household and inheritance.
- đčđș 'Walking marriages' are a cultural practice where women can have multiple partners throughout their lives without the concept of traditional marriage.
- đ Despite the remote location, the area has seen an influx of tourists, bringing modern amenities like hotels and hair salons.
- đïž Lugu Lake is a significant place for the Mosuo people and is a popular tourist attraction, including a famous 'walking marriage bridge'.
- đ” The elderly women in Mosuo society are highly respected and become the central figures in family and community life as they age.
- đ The Mosuo are known for their beautiful and colorful traditional clothing, which is also shipped worldwide.
- đŸ Mosuo women are responsible for a significant amount of labor, including farming and household duties, and are integral to the family's self-sufficiency.
- đĄ 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.
- đ¶ Children in Mosuo society are raised by their mother's family, and the concept of divorce and shame for single mothers is non-existent.
- đ 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
đïž 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.
đšâđ©âđ§âđŠ 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.
đ”â𩳠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.
đ€ïž 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.
đââïž 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄMatriarchy
đĄMosuo
đĄWalking Marriages
đĄHimalayas
đĄSabaton Buddhism
đĄLugu Lake
đĄTourism
đĄHandicrafts
đĄOrganic Food
đĄGender Balance
đĄTransition
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
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