Youmi Village of Labo Town in Ninglang County, Lijiang

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Geographical Location

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills

Ethnic Composition

Traditional Skills

• Mosuo Handicraft Textile and Embroidery (摩梭手工纺织刺绣): Mosuo women are proficient in handicraft textile and embroidery skills. They use local natural materials such as hemp and wool, and traditional tools to carefully weave fabrics like hemp cloth and woolen blankets. These textiles are often embroidered with auspicious patterns such as cloud and animal motifs. They are not only used for daily wear but also have high artistic value. In Youmi Village, visitors can observe Mosuo women weaving and embroidering shawls, tablecloths, belts, bags, and other items on – site and even try it themselves.
• Traditional Earth – Wood – Stone Architecture (传统土木石建筑): Youmi Village has preserved ancient earth – wood – stone architecture, mostly log cabins. Using round logs as the main building materials, these cabins are built in a layered structure, which is sturdy and stable. They are generally divided into two levels, with the upper level for living and the lower level for keeping livestock or storing miscellaneous items. The layout of the houses emphasizes harmony with the natural environment, reflecting the Mosuo people’s respect for nature. Experienced craftsmen in the village inherit the traditional building skills of their ancestors. From the selection and processing of wood to the construction of the houses, each step follows strict traditional craftsmanship.
• Traditional Life Skills (传统生活技艺): Villagers have accumulated a wealth of traditional skills in their long – term life, such as stone masonry, iron casting, basket weaving, leather tanning, pig castration, and horse gelding. These skills meet the needs of production and life, as well as festive ceremonies, reflecting the Mosuo people’s ability to use traditional wisdom and tools effectively. For example, woven baskets are used for storing items, and made leather goods are sturdy and durable.

Customs and Festivals

Daily Customs

• Dietary Customs (饮食习俗): The diet of villagers is influenced by the local environment and ethnic traditions. The staple foods include corn, potatoes, and barley. The local specialties are pig fat meat (pipa meat), which is made by slaughtering a pig, removing the internal organs, salting and spicing it with Sichuan peppercorns, and then sewing and pressing it. It has a unique flavor and can be preserved for a long time. Fish from Lugu Lake is also a common delicacy, with delicious meat and various cooking methods. During meals, the Mosuo people pay attention to etiquette. At family gatherings, the elderly sit at the head of the table, and the younger generations sit in order.
• Living Customs (居住习俗): The Mosuo people live in matrilineal clan families, usually with an extended family living in a relatively concentrated area. The grandmother holds a revered position in the family and is the core decision – maker. Family members have harmonious relationships, work together, and share property. The layout of the house generally centers around the grandmother’s room, which contains a fireplace. This room is an important place for family activities and discussions.
• Marriage Customs (婚姻习俗): Marrying a cousin on the mother’s side is a common way of marriage among the Shi, Yang, and A surnames, strictly adhering to the rule of not marrying within the clan. Statistics show that in the whole village, there are 35 households whose heads have relatives with their spouses, among which 25 households are marriages between cousins on the mother’s side. The marriage partner is mainly designated by the parents. If the marriage is not suitable, even if both parents agree, another person will be found. Breaking off an engagement and marrying someone of a different generation are great taboos. Those who violate these rules will be criticized by the family and even the whole village. The head of the clan will drive the first party to break off the engagement out of Youmi Village.

Important Festivals

• Mosuo New Year (摩梭新年): The New Year in Youmi Village is unique, lasting 13 days, starting with burning incense to the sky on the first day of the first lunar month and ending with turning Tiger Head Mountain on the thirteenth day. During the festival, activities such as turning mountains, worshipping mountain gods, worshipping water dragons, and worshipping river gods are held. Villagers dress in their finest clothes, bring sacrifices, and go to the sacred mountain to worship, praying for favorable weather and prosperity of livestock.
• March 13 Women’s Bathing Festival (三月十三妇女沐浴节): This is a festival exclusively for women in Youmi Village. On March 13, women go to the Wuliang River to bathe, washing away the fatigue and troubles of the past year and welcoming a new beginning.
• April New Wheat Tasting Festival (四月尝新麦节): Villagers make food with newly – harvested wheat to show filial piety to their parents – in – law and ancestors, expressing gratitude for nature’s gifts.
• July 13 Turning – Mountain Festival (七月十三转山节): The turning – mountain activity is held again to pray for the gods’ blessing of favorable weather and a good harvest.
• October 1 New Rice Tasting Festival (十月初一尝新米节): After the new rice is harvested, villagers show filial piety to their parents – in – law and ancestors again to celebrate the harvest.
• November Pig – Slaughtering and Ancestor – Worship Festival (十一月杀猪祭祖节): In November, every household slaughters pigs to worship their ancestors, prepares delicious food, and welcomes the arrival of the new year.

Ancient Architecture

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery

• High – Mountain Valley Scenery (高山峡谷风光): The surrounding area of Youmi Village is dominated by towering mountains and deep valleys. The majestic mountain ranges stretch continuously, and the Wuliang River rushes through the valley. Hiking along the valley, you can enjoy the magnificent canyon scenery and feel the magic of nature. Various rare plants grow on the cliffs on both sides, adding vitality and mystery to the canyon.
• Rural Landscape (田园风光): The surrounding area of the village is surrounded by vast and fertile farmland, with different scenery in each season. In spring, tender green seedlings of barley and wheat break through the soil. In summer, crops grow vigorously. In autumn, the golden rice and full corn crops are harvested. In winter, the fields and distant mountains form a quiet ink – wash painting. Visitors can walk in the fields, participate in agricultural activities such as sowing and harvesting, and experience the fun of rural life.
• Forest Landscape (山林景观): The surrounding mountains are densely forested with a high forest coverage rate and a wide variety of trees. Walking in the forest, you can hear the cheerful songs of birds and see small animals such as squirrels darting through the trees. The forest is home to various rare plants, and in certain seasons, visitors can follow local villagers into the mountains to pick mushrooms. There are also clear streams with gurgling water, making it an ideal place for summer retreat and relaxation.

Cultural Scenery

• Mosuo Cultural Experience (摩梭文化体验): Visitors can delve into Mosuo families to experience their daily lives. Learn traditional skills such as Mosuo handicraft textile – making and traditional architectural skills, taste Mosuo – specific cuisine, and participate in family sacrifices. The village regularly holds Mosuo cultural activities such as Dongba scripture – chanting ceremonies and Mosuo dance performances, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural connotations of the Mosuo people.
• Ancient Architecture Tour (古建筑游览): Visit the traditional log cabins and other ancient buildings to appreciate the unique architectural style and cultural connotations of the Mosuo people. With the guidance of a tour guide or local villagers, learn about the historical stories and cultural significance behind these ancient buildings. Some residences have been transformed into folk museums or guesthouses, where visitors can choose to stay and experience a combination of tradition and modernity.

Leisure and Entertainment

• Folk Activity Participation (民俗活动参与): Participate in traditional folk activities of the Mosuo people, such as bonfire evenings. As night falls, a bonfire is lit in the village square. Visitors join the Mosuo people to dance around the bonfire, learn traditional Mosuo dances such as Jia Cuo Dance, and feel the enthusiasm and hospitality of the Mosuo people. You can also participate in traditional sports activities of the Mosuo people, such as horse racing and wrestling.
• Dongba Culture Exploration (东巴文化探索): Visit the Dongbas in the village to learn how to write Dongba characters and understand the stories behind the Dongba scriptures. Watch the Dongbas perform sacrificial ceremonies and feel the mysterious religious atmosphere. Dongba culture in Youmi Village has been passed down from generation to generation, with a profound historical background. Most men are proficient in Dongba ritual scriptures such as “Burning Sky Incense” and “Exorcism,” and some ceremonies can be held at home.

Transportation Guide

External Transportation

• By Air (飞机): First, arrive at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport. The airport is far from Ninglang County. You need to take a special – line bus to Ninglang County at the airport. After arriving in Ninglang County, transfer to a bus or charter a vehicle to Laba Township. After arriving in Laba Township, charter a vehicle to Youmi Village.
• By Car (汽车): If departing from a nearby city, you can take a long – distance bus directly to Ninglang County Passenger Station, then transfer to a vehicle heading to Laba Township. There is currently no direct bus from Laba Township to Youmi Village, so you need to charter a vehicle.

Internal Transportation