Matriarchy is the Future

Naxi Blue, Lijiang
The Naxi minority, based in the ancient town of Lijiang in the Yunnan
province, number some 278,000. They are easily recognizable with their
blue blouses and trousers covered by blue or black aprons.
Until
recently, the Naxi lived in matriarchal families, though local rulers
were always male. Their society still maintains the matriarchs’ hold
over men with flexible arrangements for
joint residence. Both partners would continue to live in their
respective homes; the boyfriend would spend the nights at his
girlfriend's house but return to live and work at his mother's house
during the day. Any children born to the couple belonged to the woman,
who was responsible for bringing them up. The father provided support,
but once the relationship was over, so was the support. Children lived
with their mothers; no special effort was made to recognize paternity.
Women inherited all property, and female elders adjudicated any
disputes.There are strong matriarchal influences in the Naxi language.
Nouns enlarge their meaning when the word for ' female' is added;
conversely, the addition of the word for' male' will decrease the
meaning. For example, 'stone' plus ' female' conveys the idea of a
boulder; 'stone' plus 'male' conveys the idea of a pebble.Viewing these
laughing women, one can see the closeness in friendship, which have
endured since childhood.
© Lisa Kristine