Cremation of the Mosuo

Mosuo people believe that only the people who did good on earth can go to the heaven after death.

Once a member of a group dies, the corpse is first cleansed by a member of the family and a Lama priest.

Afterwards, a male body is cleaned again with nine cups of liquor; seven cups are used to clean a female body. The body is then bound using hemp and the deceased's hands are placed on his or her chest. A male's left hand is positioned to rest on top and the left leg is crossed over the right one. A female's right leg is crossed over the left one. A hole is dug in the yard of the deceased's home and the body is put into the hole in a white cloth; it is then covered with a big cooker(big pan). Above the cooker lies a bamboo basket with the deceased's clothing. Before the hole is a table filled with food. Traditionally, the body will remain there for one night or for up to 20 days.

On the day of cremation, the body is wrapped in a white cloth is placed inside the coffin to be transported out of the village to the cremation site. After the fire is lit, a flax hat and clothing, including the deceased's clothes, are thrown into the fire. Finally, family and relatives bow and bid their final farewells.

After the fire goes out, it is time to collect the cremated remains of the deceased. The mourners pick up the remains from the feet and finish at the head. Then, the ashes are carried by two shamans to the family gravesite. At the grave, the ashes are placed under a tree so the deceased can have an early rebirth.

For Mosuo people, only those who died of natural causes can be cremated; the others cannot be buried in "Grave Mountain". Moreover, it is believed that since women are related to procreation, the processes of the cremation are all managed by men. This is way of paying respect to women.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of text for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided that both the source and author are acknowledged and a notifying email is sent to us.