Gender Role in Moso Matrilineal Society

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Moso matrilineal society, which is located in Lugu Lake, Southern of China, is often called the paradise of daughter. This is because of the society trace down their ancestor base on women’s line, unlike most society in China who practice patrilineal. Inheritance of property are also goes from mother to daughter. Many people believe that Moso matrilineal society is just simply a mirror image of patrilineal society which leads to false impression Moso’s women have higher social status in their society. However it is man that have actual higher social status. Men in Moso society have higher education level, can choose their lovers from a broader range when compare with women, and are the leaders of Moso society. This essay will analyze the real situation of Moso society which is different from most people view and give argument why Moso’s men have higher social status when compared with women.
Matrilineal is not an exact mirror image of patrilineal. As has been discussed by Professor Ma (2014), this is because the fact that both patrilineal and matrilineal is depend on women to give birth and there are biological differences between men and women. This fact is important as it will determine each gender role in the society. In patrilineal society, people already realize the importance of women for giving birth to a child, and it emphasize more in matrilineal society. It makes women to have a vital role in matrilineal society. In spite the significant role of women in matrilineal society, it has a draw back; women do much more works than men. In matrilineal society, such as Moso society, women work harder in every single aspect in their life. Women usually stay at home to help other women to do some house works. Only men that have ti...

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...tatus than women in Moso matrilineal society.

Works Cited

ABC Australia. (2007, September 6). A Chinese Tribe That Empowers Women. Video retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoTrARDa8BU&list=PLxc8zA1UAo_15eiKtYhlYjpx-A9vuczk8
Jürgen Vogt. (2009, May 28). The Mosuo Matriarchy: ‘Men Live Better Where Women Are in Charge’. Spiegel Online International. Retrieved from http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mosuo-matriarchy-men-live-better-where-women-are-in-charge-a-627363.html
Lugu Lake Mosuo Cultural Development Association. (2006). The Mosuo: Walking Marriage. Retrieved from http://www.mosuoproject.org/walking.htm
Ma, Jianxiong. (2014, March). Matrilineal and gender equality societies: The Moso and the Lahu. HUMA1000: Cultures and Values (L1): Gender and Family. Lecture conducted from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong

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