Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Avoid constructing expectations of a place before traveling there; experience it firsthand. (2:40)
- Tip 2To visit Lugu Lake, you must pass through a checkpoint and buy a ticket. (2:47)
- Tip 3Many local families have opened guesthouses or hotels near their traditional homes due to high tourist demand. (3:18)
- Tip 4Food at high altitudes tends to be saltier due to diminished ability to taste salt and sweetness. (9:07)
- Tip 5In Mosuo culture, giving two scoops of food is customary; giving one is considered rude. (18:02)
- Tip 6There's a ten-year ban on fishing in Lugu Lake to conserve fish populations. (16:35)
Journey to the Mosuo Kingdom: A matrilineal society in China, where women hold power and unique traditions shape family life. Blondie In China explores this fascinating culture, uncovering misconceptions and celebrating the strength of Mosuo women. Witness heartwarming interactions, delicious local cuisine, and thought-provoking discussions on modernization's impact.
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This video documents Blondie In China's journey to Lugu Lake, home to the Mosuo people, one of the world's last matrilineal societies. The initial expectation of a remote, untouched society was quickly revised upon arrival, as Blondie found a more commercialized and touristy area than anticipated. This observation highlights the potential harm of preconceived notions before travel. The video explores the Mosuo's unique family structure, where the grandmother is the head of the household and men don't reside within the family home. The concept of 'walking marriages' (Zou Hun) is discussed, dispelling misconceptions about absent fathers and highlighting the focus on family unity rather than marital bonds. Blondie shares a meal with a local Mosuo man, trying traditional dishes and learning about the cultural significance of food preparation and serving. A visit to the Mosuo museum provides further insight into cultural changes over recent decades, showing the impact of modernization and tourism. Conversations with Mosuo individuals reveal both the pride in their heritage and the challenges of balancing tradition with the modern world. The video concludes with Blondie's personal reflection on the experience, emphasizing the importance of offline connections and the potential loss of deeper relationships in an increasingly connected world. The Mosuo's experience serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of community and the human desire for genuine connection.
The video also touches upon the impact of tourism on the Mosuo culture, with the local people's perspective being central to the discussion. The complexities of preserving cultural heritage while engaging with the outside world are explored, highlighting the delicate balance between tradition and progress. Blondie In China's personal journey is interwoven with the larger narrative, offering a unique and insightful perspective on a little-known culture.
Through vivid storytelling and personal anecdotes, the video challenges viewers to question their own assumptions about family, relationships, and the impact of modernization on human connection. The exploration of Mosuo culture is not just a travelogue; it's a thoughtful reflection on the human experience and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The unique details, personal insights, and emotional moments captured in the video create an engaging and thought-provoking experience for the viewer. Blondie's interactions with the Mosuo people are authentic and respectful, showcasing the richness and complexity of their culture. The use of vivid language and storytelling elements enhances the narrative, creating an immersive and memorable experience. The video concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own connections and to seek out meaningful offline interactions.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Do you think it would be better if tourists didn't come, or is it okay if they come visit?
- A: You can come. Because people are communicating with people all over the world. You can't say we Mosuo should be an exception. And in order to preserve our culture, we must keep people out. That's not possible. Because culture has always been fluid. If your culture is dead, it would also be lifeless. So I think there is no problem with communication. I think the main thing is when it comes to our own people. How do we perceive our own culture? How can we make some cultural trade-offs? We also very much hope more people can truly understand our culture, understand our goodness, and imitate our values like respecting our mothers, respecting women. I hope people can learn from us.
- Q: How did this preserved pork become like this?
- A: First, I need to get rid of the lean meat and bones inside. Then, I add two seasonings. One is peppercorn, one is table salt. Then I put it in a ventilated and cool place. And let it ferment naturally.
- Q: What is special about this rice noodle?
- A: I made this rice noodle with plateau red rice. This red rice, it is the only rice in the world that can be produced at such a high altitude, at 2,700 meters altitude. There's no other rice that grows higher than this. Therefore, this rice is rich in anthocyanin (natural deep red pigment), so it's red. Then I use hot water to cook the rice noodles. Then I make a soup and pour it on the rice noodles.
- Q: As society progresses, how do you maintain this rice variety?
- A: Many people have improved this rice variety by using other varieties to boost its output. But here we still use the old variety to make our red rice noodles.
- Q: What is the most important thing about Mosuo culture?
- A: Us Mosuo people, we worship our mothers, we respect our mothers. The Mother lake, Lugu Lake, we call Xinami, the sun is called Nimi, the moon is called himi, the mountain/jungle is called Jinami, the river is called Jimi, the mainland is called Renmi, the heart is called Numi, the leader is ghomi. So the most important things, the most beautiful things, the most auspicious things, the best things, we all compare it to a mother. Here at Lugu Lake, the local people really respect all the mothers in the world.
- Q: How has Mosuo culture changed over time?
- A: In this day and age, most Mosuo people get married because we have now been exposed to modern culture. We've been blending together for many years. When we two were kids, it was still very traditional here. We are in our 40s and 50s now, 30 years ago things were still very traditional here. A lot has changed in the last 30 years. Of course, we try our best to uphold our most important traditions, for example, our respect for mothers and the elderly, and the deep love we have for our children. These values are very important.
- Q: What is the division of labor between men and women in Mosuo culture?
- A: Actually, in our culture, women and men are equal. It's not like what many websites and articles advertise about us. In the traditional Mosuo culture, the division of labor between men and women is very clear. The division of labor between men and women in the Mosuo culture comes from human nature and from the nature of animals. Men represent strength, so when it comes to war, men fight, hunting is done by men, and building houses too, all men. The most important thing is the Mosuo custom that women are responsible for bringing life into the world while men look after what happens after life ends.
- Q: What is the role of the Grandmother's room?
- A: After entering our Grandmother's room, you can see that there is a side room here, so this side room, it used to be our family's 'delivery room'. The children of this family were all born in this room. When the baby is born, it's the women of the family who look after this aspect. For that entire week, men in the family do not go near this room. It's women who come and help with the births. When someone from the household leaves us, us men will take the person who has 'left' and wash their entire body from head to foot. After washing, we will wrap them in gauze, just like they were as a baby, and put them here. When doing this, it's all done by the men in the family. Women don't go near this room during that time. So it can be seen as, birth is female, death is male. Then when it comes to the topic of food and preparing the meals for the household, feeding pigs and raising children, these are mostly jobs of women.
- Q: What is the role of the father in Mosuo society?
- A: As for my biological child, I will also visit them when they need to go to school or something. I will pay my share of responsibility and will give them some financial support where needed. I will also encourage them emotionally. However, at the end of the day, I will spend more of my time taking care of my sister and her children in my own household.
- Q: How do Mosuo people form relationships?
- A: So in the course of daily life, for example, through campfire parties, we'll have the opportunity to meet women and make connections. If two people have a good connection, they might start dating and form a relationship. After they're in a relationship, after a period of time, the man will start to visit the woman's house at night, only with the woman's consent of course. Then at night time, the two will be together. Before dawn, the man needs to leave the woman's house and return to his own home. Remember, back then there were no phones, so during the day the two would be separated. And during this time apart, they would miss their other half, they'll wonder what their sweetheart is doing. Basically, they'll think about them everyday. So when they get to be together, they're so happy. During the day, I come back to my own home. Then I do work around the house. I'm definitely very involved and invested in this because I'm running my own family's business at home. And my partner is also working to develop her own family business. So in this situation, both the man and woman work hard for their own families during the day.
- Q: What is your name and what are you proud of?
- A: My name is Erche Lacuo. I am very proud to be a Mosuo person because what you see here is probably one of the only matriarchal societies still existing in the world. Ah, that's right. So growing up here, in our family households, we have the greatest respect for our mothers. We also have great respect for our women. So I think I've been incredibly lucky to live in such a culture. I went to college and I had the chance to compare Mosuo and mainstream culture and their differences. In the end, I chose to live here in my hometown because I feel that the people in my hometown and their way of life, it gives me a sense of belonging. Make me feel warm. It makes me feel that people are very sincere and simple. And after a day's work ends, at night, we'll have a bonfire by the fire and just chat the night away. We can talk about what happened in the village. No one will look at their phones or anything like that. People just gather around the campfire. I like it like this because there are so many electronic products used now, and holding a cell phone makes people grow distant. I don't think that's good. We should still go back to sitting together and make a fire and chat with each other. This is the best way.
