There are only 5-6 matriarchal societies left in the world, some are in Africa while others are in Southeast Asia. However, there is one in particular that caught my attention: Mosuo in China.

Why do they never get married? How do they feel about it? With the increasing inter-ethnic marriage and the opening of tourism in the Mosuo area, can they preserve their culture? Last November, I spent seven days in Mosuo villages and documented seven families with a focus on the head of the household and their living environment. I hope the following article gives you a peek into their lives.