The Impact of Tourism Development on Mosuo Marriage and Family

Abstract

Tourism development has had a significant impact on the contemporary social transformation of the Mosuo people, especially on their marriage and family. Since the rise of tourism in the Lugu Lake area, the Mosuo society has gradually changed from a traditional agriculture-based livelihood to a tourism-based livelihood. The marital radius of the Mosuo people has also extended with the expansion of the scope of interactions. The previous custom of 'walking marriage' has gradually transitioned to the nuclear family model, and the traditional matriarchal extended family has also been slowly reduced to a smaller family size. The division of labor of the family members has been adjusted accordingly. Through the study of the Mosuo marriage and family changes under the tourism industry, not only can we find the path of change of the local traditional culture, but also can make some thoughts on the impact of the current tourism development in ethnic areas.