1/5/2024 0 Comments Walking papers bookThe matriarch also manages the money and jobs of each family member. In walking marriages, Mosuo women are responsible for much of the work done around the house and financial decisions. The Ah mi has absolute power she decides the fate of all those living under her roof. The matriarch ( Ah mi, or elder female, in Chinese) is the head of the house. Children belong to and reside within their mother's household and have access to its land and resources. Occasionally, in fact, they may not know who the father of a child is, which does not carry stigma as in many other societies, but is considered embarrassing. Mosuo families tend to trace their lineage through the female side of the family. This is especially helpful when harsh winters make food scarce. Slaughtered pigs, in particular, are kept whole and stored in a dry, airy place that keeps them edible for up to ten years. Men deal with the slaughter of livestock, in which women never participate. They help to bring up the children of their sisters and female cousins, build houses and are in charge of livestock and fishing, which they learn from their uncles and older male family members as soon as they are old enough. However, Mosuo men do have roles in their society. Role of women Īccording to some, men have no responsibility in Mosuo society-they have no jobs, rest all day, and conserve their strength for nighttime visits. The second floor is commonly used for storage and for the bedrooms. The main cooking, eating and visiting areas are also on the first floor. ![]() The first floor houses livestock, including water buffalo, horses, geese, and poultry. Mosuo homes consist of four rectangular structures arranged in a square, around a central courtyard. Electricity has been introduced in most Mosuo communities, but some villages still lack electric power. Average incomes are low (US$150–200 per year), causing financial restrictions when cash is needed for activities such as education or travel. However, increased interaction with the outside world brings greater use of a cash-based trade system. ![]() Sulima is drunk regularly and usually offered to guests and at ceremonies and festivals. They produce a local alcoholic beverage made from grain, called sulima, which is similar to strong wine. The Mosuo are renowned for their preserved pork, which may be kept for 10 years or more. Meat is an important part of their diet and, since they lack refrigeration, is preserved through salting or smoking. The people are largely self-sufficient in diet, raising enough for their daily needs. Mosuo culture is primarily agrarian, with work based on farming tasks such as raising livestock (yak, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry) and growing crops, including grains and potatoes. Further, scholars have argued that while matrilineal arrangements are the normative pattern, domestic arrangements still vary geographically and by family circumstance. The anthropologist Peggy Reeves Sanday has argued that the Musou should be considered a matriarchy. However, according to an article by NPR, there was once a time when the political leaders of Mosuo villages were in fact female. For instance, a man named Ge Ze A Che is the political leader of Luoshui village. However, unlike a matriarchy, the political power tends to be in the hands of males. They have aspects of a matriarchal culture: women are often the head of the house, inheritance is through the female line, and women make business decisions. In fact, it is not easy to categorize Mosuo culture within traditional Western definitions. ![]() However, the terms matrilineal and matriarchal do not reflect the full complexity of their social organization. The Mosuo are often referred to as China's "last matrilineal society." The Mosuo themselves may also often use the description matriarchal, which they believe increases interest in their culture and thus attracts tourism. 4.4.2 Fathers of children are commonly not known.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |