Geographical Distribution of Mosuo Ethnic People

The Mosuo (摩梭) people, primarily located around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) in Yunnan Province, are one of China’s most unique ethnic groups, known for their matrilineal society. In this society, family lineage is traced through the mother, and women hold a prominent role in decision-making and inheritance. The Mosuo (摩梭) practice the distinctive Walking Marriage tradition, where men and women maintain separate homes, meeting only at night, a custom that challenges conventional marriage norms.

The Mosuo (摩梭) live mainly in Ninglang County (宁蒗县) and Yulong County (玉龙县), with villages like Luoshui Village (落水村) and Youmi Village (油米村) preserving ancient customs and traditional architecture. Cultural festivals like the Chuan Mountain Festival (转山节) showcase their vibrant religious practices, music, and dance. The Mosuo (摩梭) also have a rich heritage of craftsmanship, with weaving traditions and other crafts passed down through generations.

Despite external influences, the Mosuo (摩梭) people continue to preserve their matrilineal culture and beliefs, making them an important part of China’s diverse cultural landscape.

Distribution and Cultural Overview of the Mosuo Ethnic Group in Yunnan

Core Distribution and Population Data

Major Settlement Areas

Lijiang City (丽江市): The area with the highest concentration of Mosuo (摩梭) people, primarily in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (宁蒗彝族自治县) (83% of Yunnan’s Mosuo population) and Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县) (12%).

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州): A small number of Mosuo (摩梭) people are located in Weixi County (维西县), where they live alongside the Tibetan and Lisu ethnic groups.

Population Statistics

Total Population: Approximately 52,000 nationwide, with about 48,000 residing in Yunnan.

County Distribution:

• Ninglang County: Around 36,000 (75% of Yunnan’s Mosuo population)

• Yulong County: 8,000 (16.7%)

Autonomous Administrative Units

Mosuo Townships in Yunnan

Yongning Township (永宁乡) (Lijiang City, Ninglang Yi Autonomous County):

• Core Area: The area around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖), known as the heart of Mosuo culture, includes traditional villages like Luoshui Village (落水村) and Wala Bie (瓦拉别).

• Cultural Features: Preserves the matrilineal family structure and the Walking Marriage tradition. Gemu Goddess Mountain (格姆女神山) serves as the center for the Chuan Mountain Festival (转山节) rituals.

Labo Township (拉伯乡) (Lijiang City, Ninglang Yi Autonomous County):

• Geographical Location: Borders Muli County (木里县) in Sichuan Province, home to ancient Mosuo (摩梭) villages like Youmi Village (油米村), which still maintains traces of patriarchal traditions through the Ruan Ke (阮可) clan.

• Cultural Heritage Protection: Youmi Village is an active site for the Dongba (东巴) culture, listed in China’s Traditional Village Directory since 2013.

Cuiyu Lisu and Pumi Nationality Township (翠玉傈僳族普米族乡) (Ninglang County):

• Ethnic Composition: A mix of Mosuo (摩梭), Lisu (傈僳), and Pumi (普米) people, located in the eastern cultural extension of Lugu Lake (泸沽湖).

Yongning Town (永宁镇) (Ninglang County):

• Population: 91.7% Mosuo (摩梭) people, making it a core area for Mosuo culture in China.

Labo Township (拉伯乡) (Ninglang County):

• A provincial Mosuo cultural ecological protection area.

Special Administrative Structures

Lugu Lake Mosuo Cultural Corridor (泸沽湖摩梭文化走廊):

• A joint protection mechanism that spans both Ninglang County (宁蒗县) in Yunnan and Yanyuan County (盐源县) in Sichuan.

Mosuo Village Directory in Yunnan

Luoshui Village (落水村) (Yongning Township):

• Significance: The first Mosuo (摩梭) settlement around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) to be included in China’s Traditional Village Directory. Known for its well-preserved wooden house architecture.

• Folk Customs: Vibrant activities related to the Chuan Lake Festival (转湖节) and the Jia Cuo Dance (甲搓舞).

Youmi Village (油米村) (Labo Township):

• Features: The name means “Village of Unity” in Mosuo (摩梭) language. It retains original Dongba (东巴) scripts and ceremonies. Men in the village are required to master sacred ritual texts.

Wala Bie (瓦拉别) (Yongning Township, Wenquan Village):

• Architecture: 94.64% of homes are traditional matrilineal residences, including the Grandmother’s House (祖母房) and Flower Tower (花楼), typical Mosuo (摩梭) dwellings.

Gesa Gu Village (格萨古村) (Lugu Lake Area):

• Name Origin: Means “Land of Hemp” in Mosuo (摩梭) language. The village continues to practice the Walking Marriage tradition and is known for its wooden house structures.

Shekua Village (舍垮村) (Nearby Yanyuan County in Sichuan):

• Cultural and Tourism Integration: Based around Lugu Lake (泸沽湖), this village has developed into a site for Mosuo (摩梭) homestay tourism, maintaining the unique “One Village, Two Provinces” community culture.

Additional Notes

Ethnic Identification: The Mosuo (摩梭) people in Yunnan are officially classified as Naxi (纳西) people. They mainly live in Yongning, Labo, and other townships in Ninglang County (宁蒗县), with a population of about 15,000.

Cultural Protection: The Chuan Mountain Festival (转山节) on the 25th day of the seventh lunar month is a provincial intangible cultural heritage, showcasing Mosuo (摩梭) religious practices, music, dance, and costume culture.

Youmi Village (油米村) (Ninglang County):

• Home to the well-preserved Grandmother’s House complex (42 buildings). This site is a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage and a hub for traditional hand-woven textile skills.

Lige Village (里格村) (Ninglang County):

• A living exhibit of Mosuo (摩梭) Walking Marriage culture, attracting over 500,000 tourists annually.

Cultural Geographical Markers

Lugu Lake (泸沽湖): The spiritual “Mother Sea” (母海) of the Mosuo (摩梭) people, covering an area of 50.1 square kilometers.

Gemu Goddess Mountain (格姆女神山): The sacred mountain for the Mosuo (摩梭) Chuan Mountain Festival (转山节), with an elevation of 3,754 meters.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Festival Activities

Chuan Mountain Festival (转山节) (25th day of the seventh lunar month):

• Main Venue: Surrounding villages of Zamei Temple (扎美寺) in Yongning Township, showcasing Daba (达巴) rituals and Dongba (东巴) dance performances.

Ritual Ceremonies

Coming-of-Age Ceremony:

• Female participants wear pleated skirts, while male participants wear belts in the traditional Tibetan style.

Handicraft Skills

Hemp Cloth Weaving:

• A provincial-level intangible cultural heritage, with Shi Ying (石瑛) teaching the craft to apprentices in Youmi Village (油米村).

Pig Fat Meat Production:

• A traditional festival food, included in the city’s intangible cultural heritage list.