摩梭母系婚姻家庭形态研究的再思考

中国西南地区泸沽湖周围的摩梭人,至今仍保留着母系家庭与母系文化,这从一个重要方面展现了中华文化及人类社会文化的多样性.近年来,由于经济社会发展的不断加快,摩梭母系家庭数量已明显减少,余下的母系家庭也渐"空壳化".在摩梭母系文化面临解体之时,学术界应深入研究,为这一文化的保护提供参考.泸沽湖周边摩梭母系婚姻家庭的出现与长期延续,除与其居住地特殊自然、地理环境有关外,还与其族源有关.泸沽湖摩梭人的母系文化虽然有其特点,但应是川滇之间历史上曾存在的"母系文化带"的一部份.摩梭社会中出现母系、父系及双系家庭并存现象有着经济、政治、文化等多方面的原因,但双系家庭并非母系家庭与父系家庭间的过渡.摩梭母系文化的深入研究,还应注意与四川甘孜道孚县扎巴母系文化作比较,这样既可更多的更大范围的了解"母系文化带",也可加深对泸沽湖边摩梭母系文化特点的认识.

Rethinking the Studies of Mosuo Matrilineal Marriage and Family Form

Most social groups in the present world have a patrilineal system.However some investigations show that more than 150 ethnic groups with small populations have matrilineal systems.In the society of these groups woman have an elevated status;they are the organizers and managers of production and daily life;and both consanguinity and property are transmitted via the matrilineal line.Moreover,there are mechanisms which relate to the maintenance of the matrilineal family,the ethics and morality of kinship relations;and serve as the principal for behaviors.All these show us that matrilineal culture differs from patrilineal culture.It should be noted that the existence of matrilineal culture in present day China shows the diversity of Chinese culture,or even of human culture.In recent decades,the matrilineal family and matrilineal culture of the Mosuo people,who live around the Lugu Lake in Southwest China,have drawn the attention of more and more people.The local government has initiated relevant preservation work.However,within the background of rapid economic development,the matrilineal culture of the Mosuo people is experiencing an unprecedented impact,and the matrilineal marriage practice and family form is in danger of actually collapsing.How can this culture be protected? There are many issues which need to be discussed and explored.The marriage practice and family form of the Mosuo lies at the core of its matrilineal culture.Although there is considerable relevant research on this topic,I feel that there are several issues worthy of further exploration.