Mosuo, a branch of the "Naxi" nationality, lives on the shores of lake Lugu, in Yongning in the autonomous district of Yi di Ninglang in the north-eastof Yannan. According to a legend a "female state" survives there, in which women occupy a higher social position than the men and free polyandry is practised. After the Liberation, the new Chinese state started its educational, cultural and health programme but this matriachal society still exists, although its customs are being radically modified.