Although the Mosuo are culturally distinct from the Nakhi Naxi , the Chinese government places them as members of the Nakhi minority.
The Nakhi are about , people spread throughout different provinces in China. The Mosuo are often referred to as China's "last matrilineal society. In fact, it is not easy to categorize Mosuo culture within traditional Western definitions.
They have aspects of a matriarchal culture: women are often the head of the house, inheritance is through the female line, and women make business decisions. However, unlike a matriarchy, the political power tends to be in the hands of males. Mosuo culture is primarily agrarian, with work based on farming tasks such as raising livestock yak, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry and growing crops, including grains and potatoes.
The people are largely self-sufficient in diet, raising enough for their daily needs. Meat is an important part of their diet and, since they lack refrigeration, is preserved through salting or smoking.
The Mosuo are renowned for their preserved pork, which may be kept for 10 years or more. They produce a local alcoholic beverage made from grain, called sulima , which is similar to strong wine. Sulima is drunk regularly and usually offered to guests and at ceremonies and festivals.
