The Gender Impact of Modernization among the Matrilineal Moso in China

This paper studies the encroachment of mainstream Han culture upon traditional Moso matrilineal culture through the adoption by the Moso, via government initiative, of a monetary market system driven by capital and commerce, of reforms in medical, education and taxation systems, and the promotion of the Moso by the government as a tourist destination, combined with government programs the ostensible goal of which is to preserve the Moso as a cultural artifact. These stimuli of change result in sinification of the Moso, and create conflicts between a natural and a market economy, among gender relationships, and among traditional and “progressive” Moso. It is argued herein that, while tourism has increased the standard of living for some Moso in purely economic terms, it has done so at the cost of commodifying them into simplistic structures that serve largely to restrict their growth and development by diluting their traditions and workforce, while subordinating the Moso to the standards of Han society.