Language Identity and Ethnic Identity of the Yongning Mosuo Against the Backdrop of Tourism Development
This article examines the language identity and ethnic identity of the Moso (Mosuo) people in Yongning, Yunnan, following the tourism development of Lugu Lake since 1992. Living at the junction of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet within the complex Tibetan-Yi Corridor, the Moso—officially classified as a Naxi branch—regularly use Moso language and Chinese, encountering Tibetan mainly through religious rituals. Although all three languages enjoy relatively high identification, the underlying motivations differ: Moso language sustains ethnic sentiment and group identity, Chinese serves instrumental/practical needs, and Tibetan reflects cultural affiliation. Despite Naxi's declining vitality, Moso speakers strongly value their mother tongue as a marker of ethnic belonging. Regarding ethnic identity, the Moso show low identification with the official Naxi classification but stronger identification with Tibetan and Mongolian due to historical and cultural ties. Post-tourism cultural construction has increasingly strengthened a distinct "Moso" group identity.
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