m̌ ḫ's photos with the keyword: Lugu Lake 泸沽湖

Lugu Lake, lays at the border of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in western China in the altitude 2,685 m. This alpine lakem located about 200km from the historic town of Lijiang, is renowned for its stunning scenery of Himalayan foothills. 50 sg. km of pristine water is dotted with islets and surrounded by high mountains. In 1924, American explorer Joseph Rock came to Lugu Lake and called it "the most beautiful lake in Yunnan". The region is famous also for a unique cultures of Yi, Tibetans, Pumi, and Mosuo people. Notably Mosuos are one of China's most spectacular ethnic groups. Their language is told to be similar with the Naxi, but customs, and appearance are very different. The Mosuo are generally Tibetan Buddhists, so their festivals are mainly from that religion. Among the surviving ancient traditions and customs, they paractice a "walking marriage",where the eldest female dominates the daily lives of those in the household. They are often called the last matriarchal society in the world. Known as "the Kingdom of Women", albeit the men generally have the political power, the women control household finances. Women also take care of the crops, house, and children, while Mosuo men are responsible for the livestock. Houses and property are inherited by the daughters.

Lion Mountain (Mountain of the Goddess Gemu)

The Mosuos, a branch of the Naxi nationality with a population of about 15,000, are the main ethnic group scattered in the lakeside villages around Lugu. The Mosuo women wear long hair tied into a bun and red, green and black garments and white folding skirts with colorful sashes tied round their waists. Before 13 years old, they usually wear long gowns. After the initiation ceremony at the age of 13, men wear trousers and women wear skirts. The Mosuo people have their own ways and customs, still retain some remnants of the matriarchal society. Men and women are not bound by marriage, each living at one's mother's home. Men work at home during the day and spend their night with the women they love in their homes. Children are under the care of and supported by their maternal families. Fathers do not live in the same family with their children and women so that they are not bound up with their women financially in their production and life. This unique wedlock values affection and gives more freedom to men and women in their relationships. They may choose to unite or separate at will. It has been considered as the living fossil as a basis for a study of social patterns and matriarchal marriage customs in today' s world.

Lion Mountain (Mountain of the Goddess Gemu)