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Mosou: An Unrecognized MinorityChinese Ethnic Minorities and Their Foods
Fall Volume: 2018 Issue: 25(3) page(s): 33
This Chinese ethnic minority does have several names,
the government recognizes none of them. Even so,
little is known about them. Is this because there are
only some forty-five thousand in China including all of
them who live in the very small villages in the Yunnan
and Sichuan Provinces and those close to the Tibetan
border and near Lake Lugu? Is it because some spell their
name Moso and others know them as the Na people, the
name they call themselves? Maybe it is because others
call them Nakhi and the government groups them and
others with the Naxi, another ethnic group. Their beliefs
and food culture do not match. There are some who refer to them as a ‘free-lovemaking’
minority. Does this influence how they are
thought of? Or, we wonder, is it because they are ruled
by women, the eldest in a family needing to be a very
strong woman? There are those who say the Mosou are primitive people;
but they themselves do not believe that. They say their
power is religious, their political strength in the hands
of their men. But this is a matriarchal society whose
daily lives are controlled by women; their men tending
to other things. Some say their men hardly work,
meaning they have no ‘real’ jobs; they just go fishing.
Of course, this is not true. Some of their men folk tend
livestock and slaughter them when needed. Others say
their men only engage in ‘night time’ activities if invited
into the homes of their women. Actually, this is a small ancient female-led agrarian
society that is headed by the eldest
female in a family. She is known as
their ‘ah mi’. If all their young children
are male, then need to adopt a young
female for this upcoming task. Mosou
females raise their young and their
yaks, also their water buffalo, sheep,
goats, and poultry; and they grow all
needed potatoes, oats, buckwheat, and flax. They do
their own weaving, manage their money, and barter for
needs. Most of their children do not know their fathers
thinking the woman’s oldest brother may be that male.
What they raise or grow is rarely in excess of their
needs, just enough to feed their family, and they have
and use little cash. Most often, they get what they need
bartering for it. They do not ignore future food needs as they salt and
smoke many meats; and prepare lots of pork both ot
these ways; and they know they can stay ten or more
years with no spoilage. The first floor is for cooking,
eating, and socializing, the second one is where they
store them. The first floor is also where their Daba or
priest stays when invited to spend the night so he can
lead or participate in any worship rituals. The second
floor is also where a private room is set aside for a girl
old enough to entertain her male guests. It is called the
‘flowering room,’ and it is for her use usually after she
turns thirteen. Most Mosou are known for what they call a ‘walking
marriage.’ The Chinese call them zou hun, others call
them ‘free-love time.’ After a girl turns thirteen and
has spent one or more nights with one particular boy,
he does leave early the next morning. It is not unusual
for one to walk into and out of the lives of many young
women that invite him to do so. She controls that room
and his coming and going; and though there are some
who partner for life, that is rare. She controls that, too. As to the culinary, they never eat dog,
most never even allowing them into
their homes. This is an ancient belief,
no one seems to know why, at least
no one we spoke to. Should you know
more, hope you will share that and any
recipes they have to share with our
readers. We found none. 
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