Aqi Duzhima from Mosuo Ethnic Group in Yongning Town of Lijiang

阿七独支玛 is the first and only handmade shawl brand in the gathering area of the Mosuo people in Lijiang, Yunnan Province. Founded by Ms. A Qidu Zhima in 2006, the brand specializes in shawls and tablecloths. Their philosophy emphasizes using the most natural cotton thread and the most sincere attitude to weave garments that carry warmth.

Brief Introduction to the Mosuo People: Located near Lugu Lake in northwest Yunnan, China, the Mosuo people are a community of around 40,000 individuals who practice both Tibetan Buddhism and their indigenous Daba religion. Known as “Eastern Daughters’ Kingdom” for their matrilineal family structure and the practice of “walking marriage” where men and women do not traditionally marry, the Mosuo culture is matrilineal, with women as the heads of households and the future of the large family belonging to girls. Without a written language, Mosuo culture faces challenges of preservation, exacerbated by modernization.

Mosuo Handcrafted Textiles: Mosuo traditional handcrafted textiles are made from generations-old hemp and cotton threads. The production process involves more than ten steps and is a testament to the diligence and kindness of Mosuo women.

A Qidu Zhima, the Mosuo Weaver: Born in 1964, A Qidu Zhima is an inheritor of Mosuo traditional handcrafted textiles. Over the past decade, she has mobilized 168 women from 68 households in Quanquan Village, Warm Spring, also involving women from dozens of surrounding villages, totaling over 900 women engaged in handicrafts. This initiative preserves Mosuo traditional handcraft culture, addresses employment issues for mountainous women, and improves their income to afford medical care and education for children.

Achievements: Recognized for her outstanding contributions to ethnic cultural preservation, A Qidu Zhima was named the inheritor of folk and traditional craft in Lijiang, and the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province. Her live demonstrations of handcrafted textile weaving have been widely covered by international media, referred to as “the brilliant dance of hands coming from the original society.” Traditional Mosuo handcrafted textiles designed and manufactured by her are highly popular among domestic and foreign customers. As the Mosuo people lack a written language, these textiles have become a new carrier for the inheritance of Mosuo culture in the modern era.

Key Events:

• In spring 2001, two sets of Mosuo clothing were purchased by the Fukuoka City Museum in Japan for display.
• In 2003, A Qidu Zhima recognized the value of her traditional ethnic crafts, organized, and opened a hand-weaving factory.
• In 2006, the Mosuo traditional handcrafted textile factory officially registered with the Ninglang County Industry and Commerce Bureau.
• In 2008, a trademark named “A Qidu Zhima” was successfully registered.
• In February 2011, the Mosuo handcrafted textile development project was designated as an innovative public welfare project jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Gara Group, which donated $1 million.
• In October 2011, it was reported by CCTV’s program “Tell the Story.”
• In 2011, the Enactus (formerly SIFE) team from Southwest University for Nationalities joined the protection and inheritance of Mosuo shawls, aiming to promote ancient Mosuo culture through market-oriented means, solve local employment issues, and support the cultural revitalization of the Mosuo people.

These milestones highlight A Qidu Zhima’s role in preserving and promoting Mosuo culture through traditional craftsmanship, ensuring its continuity in the face of cultural and economic challenges.