# Songs Gathered from the "Kingdom of Daughters": Folk Songs of the Moso People of Yunnan
This article introduces the folk songs of the Mosuo people (a branch of the Naxi ethnic group) of Yunnan, who live around Lake Lugu and the Yongning basin near the Sichuan border. Known for retaining matrilineal customs and the "Ashia" (walking marriage) tradition, in which men and women live separately with their mothers' families, the Mosuo are popularly called the "Kingdom of Daughters." Lacking their own script, they have preserved a rich oral folk-song tradition reflecting daily life, emotions, and social customs. The author classifies Mosuo folk songs into several types: "Ahabala" mountain songs, sung freely by people of all ages with soaring, passionate melodies varying by region (canyon versus basin areas); and traditional ancient songs, including narrative "history songs" performed by elders at rituals, and festival songs sung during New Year, mountain-circling, and other celebrations, characterized by lyrical, flowing melodies expressing blessings and legends.
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