An ancient tribal community of a lush valley in Yunnan, south-west China known known as Mosuo is following an age old tradition, nay a rule. According to this rule, a woman and a man in the tribe spend a nights at the woman’s house as husband-wife.
A hat is generally kept on the door handle to indicate that no other should disturb them. In the morning however, they walk different paths as if they did not know each other.
This practice is called ‘walking marriage’. The initial encounter may turn into regular phenomenon, thus deepening a relationship and pregnancy, is a matter of choice.
The women here do not know who the father of their children is and it never brings any social stigma.
Those who live like couple, they do not have any financial burden to run the family.
Women own and inherit property, sow crops in this agrarian society, and run the households – cooking, cleaning and child-rearing. The men provide strength, ploughing, building, repairing homes, slaughtering animals and helping with big familial decisions, although the final say is always with Grandmother.
Their children never depend on the male partner. Faith on each other is the crux of a couple’s conjugal life here.
PNN
