Abstract
This study aims to look at how tourism is affecting the Mosuo culture, specifically their walking marriages. I lived with a Mosuo family around Lugu Lake and conducted in-depth interviews with 14 Mosuo people. Tourism is changing the Mosuo's perception of themselves and their culture, while also economically developing the region around Lugu Lake. Through these interviews I found that the Mosuo's walking marriage is not how the media portrays the Mosuo. Tourism is economically developing the region, while commodifying Mosuo culture and the presentation of authentic Mosuo culture. The Mosuo perform their culture to tourists around the lake, while away from the tourist town the Mosuo practice a different authentic culture, which is creating a front and back stage. Tourism is commodifying the Mosuo's walking marriages through prostitution and is also changing the dynamic of the Mosuo's matriline.
Advisor
Frese, Pamela
Second Advisor
Wang, Rujie
Department
Chinese Studies; Sociology and Anthropology
Recommended Citation
Hanson, Caroline, "走婚: A One Night Stand or Eternal Love?: An Ethnographic Study of the Effects of Tourism on the Mosuo and Their Walking Marriages" (2013). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 1137.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/1137
Disciplines
Social and Cultural Anthropology | Tourism
Publication Date
2013
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2013 Caroline Hanson