A visit to ‘The Kingdom of Women’ to meet the real bosses
参观“女性王国”，拜见真正的老大
Society is a web of social relations, and it keeps on changing. From time immemorial, using ‘family’ as the main base for analysis, men have been enjoying the position being hold in high pedestal. Men have always been looked upon as providers and protectors. All this while, the inherent turmoil, the very fight for gender equality piquing people’s mind.
社会是一个关系网络，一直变化。从远古时代起，以“家庭”作为分析的主要基准，男性不断享受着较高的地位，不断被视为提供者和保护者.内在的动荡以及争取两性平等的斗争刺激着人们的心灵。
Today, if not entirely, the concept and the battle of equality for women is making a lot of noise, and very rightly so. The fight is not going to see its end in near future, but hopefully we might be able to breathe in a world where everyone is equal. Without much ado, let us go to the serene valleys of Himalayas to meet the Mosuo Tribe and see how it feels to be in a land where women enjoy all the power.
今天，即便不是全部，妇女平等观念和斗争引发很多关注，这是极正确的。这场战斗，会持续很长时间，但希翼我们有生之年能够实现在一个平等的世界生活。不多说，我们去喜马拉雅山幽谷看看摩梭部落，一个女性享受主权的地方她们的感受。
The region is often dubbed as ‘The Kingdom of Women’. Also referred to as the last matriarchal societies in the world, the Mosuo people have been living on the banks of Lugu Lake for centuries. The lake borders China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces and is 2700 m above sea level. The nearest city from the region is a six-hour drive away.
该地区经常被称为“女性王国”。摩梭人也被称为世界上最后一个母系社会，几百年来不断生活在泸沽湖畔。该湖与中国的云南和四川省接壤，海拔2700米，离最近的城市有6小时车程。
It is primarily the remoteness of the region, which helped the people here to guard their customs so fiercely. In fact, if records are to go by, the customs of Mosuo people are so unique that they are not found anywhere else. Let us take you quickly through these.
地区的偏远，有助这里的人民极大程度保留当地的习俗。现实上，如果有记载，摩梭人的风俗特殊独特，其它地方是没有的。让我们带着你来看看这些习俗。
In their society, women are the face of it. For them, men don’t ‘complete’ them and they don’t consider marriage as an achievement. They follow a unique tradition known as zouhun or ‘walking marriages’. Mosuo girls also enjoy the liberty of choosing their lovers and they can have as many or a few lovers as they wish during their lifetime.
在摩梭社会中，女性是门面。在他们看来，男性不能使她们完整，也不认为婚姻会带来某种成就感。他们遵循独特的传统称为走婚或叫“活动的婚姻”。摩梭女孩享有选择恋人的自在，一生中她们可以按自己的意愿拥有不同的恋人。
During these ‘marriages’, upon invitation, men visit the house of women. They stay in a designated room called ‘flower room’. During daybreak, the men leaves for their home. This custom can happen many a times and no one will be bothered to know about the father of a child if the woman gets pregnant. Couples don’t live together and kids are looked after by the female’s family.
在“婚姻”期间，男性应邀访问女方的家，待在名为“花房”的指定房间，至拂晓离开。这样的行为不限次数，如果女方，没有人会费心去了解孩子的父亲是谁。夫妻不一起生活，孩子在女方家庭生活。
Role of men
男性的角色
Men do have an important role to play in Mosuo society though. Traditionally, they used to stay away from the village to sell their produce and earn livelihood. They were also responsible for fishing, building houses, and rearing of livestock.
男性在摩梭社会中饰演着重要的角色。传统上，他们远离村庄，靠卖农产品谋生。他们还担任捕鱼，修筑房屋和养殖牲畜。
Till date, they are not deemed financially responsible for taking responsibilities of their own kids, but they are responsible for taking care of their nephews and nieces living with them.
直至今天，他们无需担任扶养自己的孩子，但有责任照应他们的侄子和侄女。
Inheriting property
财产承继
It would be wrong to state that men enjoy the least power in this region. In wider society, men still yield political power; yet, women are the ‘bosses’ of their household, responsible for taking all the household decisions.
认为这个地区的男性权力起码是错误的。在更广泛的社会中，男性仍然掌握政治权力; 女性则是家庭的“老板”，担任所有家庭决策。
Moreover, the wealth and property is passed on through the mother to lady of the house, thereby giving her all the authority and freedom.
此外，母亲把财产传递给下一代，成为房子的女主人，从而给予她所有的权力和自在。
Mosuo customs
摩梭风俗
They follow unusual customs such as veneration of dogs. They believed that dogs had a lifespan of 60 years, whereas humans lived for only 13 years. As per the belief, humans and dogs traded their life spans and humans pledged to pay due respects to dogs in return.
他们的习俗不太平常，比如对狗的敬奉。他们认为狗的寿命本来是60年，而人类只活13年。因为这样，人类与狗交换了寿命，因而人类承诺对狗狗赋予应有的尊敬。
Next time, when you are planning for a vacation, think about this place. Your vacation will not only introduce you to an exotic place, but will also introduce you to an open culture.
下一次，当你计划度假时，考虑下这个地方。假期带给你的不只是异国情调，还会带给你一种开放的文化。
Also, we think it is time that other places should take some cue from them!
而且，是时候从摩梭部落猎取些启发了！
本文来源：https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
