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The Lugu Lake is located between Ninglang County in Yunnan Province
and Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province, 300 kilometers away from
Lijiang County. It is a plateau lake with a total area of 52 square
kilometers, 2685 meters above sea level. The average depth is
45 meters, the deepest point being 93 meters. The water is very
clear. The lake remains na uncontaminated plateau lake.
Among the five islands in the
lake, three are in the territory of Yunnan and two in that of
Sichuan. Heiwawudao, Ligedao are metaphorically called "Three
Islands of Ponglai"
(Islands of the Immortals). Sitting in the middle of the lake,
Heiwawudao Island is also called "the Chieftain Island" because
Ashaoyun, the chieftain of Yongning, built his villa on the island
in the Guangxu period of the Qing dynasty. Rock, an American scientist,
also used to reside on this island. On the south side of the lake
stands Liwubidao Island lies at the foot of the Lion Mountain.
It is actually a small peninsular formed by the extension of the
Lion Mountain into the Lake. A dozen of Mosuo families live on
this island so it is possible for the visitors to experience the
life on the island and, at the same time, enjoy the beautiful
scenery of the lake.
The pretty and graceful Mosuo girls, the ancient and natural canoes and the moving and pleasant fishing songs are considered to be the "three most enjoyable things on the lake".
The lugu lake is embraced in
green mountains. The best-loved one by the Mosuo people is the
Holy Gemu Mountain (the Lion Mountaion). The local people worship
it as their Goddess Gemu. On 25th July of each lunar year, they
will gather at the foot of the mountain for a great sacrificial
rite.
Many cultural sites and scenic spots are scattered along the lakeside. They are Mosuo villages, plateau hot springs, the underground maze-The Lucky Cave, the Chieftain's Palace, the Zhamei Lamaist Temple, Riyuehe - The Ruins of the Yuan Army Quarters when Kublai Khan was on his south - expansion, yongning - the key town on the ancient tea and horse trading route. Many beautiful legends have been circulating among the people.
The Mosuos, a branch of the Naxi
nationality with a population of about 15000, are the main ethnic
group scattered in the lakeside villages. The Mosuo women wear
long hair tied into a bun and red, green and black garments and
white folding skirts with colorful sashes tied round their waists.
Before 13 years old, they usually wear long gowns. After the initiation
ceremony at the age of 13, men wear trousers and women wear skirts.
The Mosuo people have their own ways and customs, still retain some remnants of the matriarchal society. Men and women are not bound by marriage, each living at one's mother's home. Men work at home during the day and spend their night with the women they love in theiv homes. Children are under the care of and supported by their maternal families. Fathers do not live in the same family with their children and women so that they are not bound up with their women financially in their production and life. This unique wedlock values affection and gives more freedom to men and women in their relationships. They may choose to unite or separate at will. It has been considered as the living fossil as a basis for a study of social patterns and matriarchal marriage customs in today' s world.
The Mosuo wooden houses are built with square - deged timber in
the style of "jinganshi building", also called Mulengfang (Timber
House). The Naxi Villages look graceful and unaffected. The Zhuanshan
Festival (the Festival of Turning - around the Mountain) which
falls on 25th July of the lunar year is the traditional festival
of the Mosuo people. On that day they would dres in their Sunday
best to worship the Gemu Goddess Mountain (the Lion Mountain)
and pray for the Goddess' protection. It is also a time for horse
racing, wrestling and antiphonal sining. The young people take
the chance to search for their lovers, whom they call Axia.
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