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Li Jiazui, near Lake Lugu, is the last and greatest of China’s matriarchal tribes. It is part of Muli County, in the province of Sichuan. Here, miles of mountains and rivers encompass beautiful, peaceful villages. 27 families, for a total population of 340 souls, live here happily and in perfect harmony. The villagers have kept their unique, traditional customs. Here, maternal blood ties dominate the entire family. Adult men and woman never marry. There are no relatives on the father’s side. The uncle usually is the family representative, while the mother holds the purse strings. The person who holds family authority is named so depending of the maternal blood ties. The women, mothers and mothers’ sisters, enjoy full sovereign rights. This strange, unique social structure is considered “a fossile society of matriarchal customs.” Their territory has been registered as a world natural heritage site by Unesco.

China - 2002 - 40 mn - DVC PRO - Colour

Director Li Xiaochuan Script Li Xiaochuan, Yuanhua Han Camera Li Xiaochuan Sound Chen Yiping Editing Li Xiaochuan

Production Sichuan Television, 40 Dongsheng St., 610015 Chengdu, Sichuan, Chine Tél : +86 28 664 8356 Fax : +86 28 8664 1646

Sales Sichuan Television, 40 Dongsheng St., 610015 Chengdu, Sichuan, Chine Tél : +86 28 664 8356 Fax : +86 28 8664 1646