1Mosuo, China
Patrick AVENTURIER//Getty Images The Mosuo women are China's last surviving matriarchy. There are about 40,000 of them, according to The Independent, and they practice Tibetan Buddhism. Lineage is traced through the women of the family. This society is also matrilineal, meaning property is handed down the same female line. Mosuo women also don't marry. Should they choose to have a partner, the two don't live together and the mother plays the primary role in raising the children.
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2Bribri, Costa Rica
AFP//Getty Images The BriBri people are an indigenous tribe with an estimated 12,000-35,000 members. In this society, land is handed down from the mother to her children. Women are revered and thus are the only people who can prepare the sacred cacao drink for their religious rituals.
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3Umoja, Kenya
Anadolu Agency//Getty Images The Umoja tribe is a true-blue No Mans Land, because men are banned. This village is a home to women who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence. The Umoja village, which means "unity" in Swahili, was founded in 1990. As occupations, the women and children show tourists their village and work to educate others about their rights.
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4Minangkabau, Indonesia
ADEK BERRY//Getty Images The Minangkabau people are a part of the largest surviving matriarchal society encompassing approximately four million people as of 2017. The common belief in this culture is that the mother is the most important person in society. Women rule the domestic realm of life. And while marriage is feasible in the Minangkabau society, partners must have separate sleeping quarters.
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5Akan, Ghana
Anthony Pappone//Getty Images According to Mental Floss, the social organization of the Akan people is built around the matriclan. Within the matriclan, identity, inheritance, wealth, and politics are all decided. As the name would have it, matriclan founders are female. However, it must be noted that with in the Akan Matriclan, men do hold leadership positions.
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6Khasi, India
BIJU BORO//Getty Images As of 2011, this matriarchal society was comprised of about 1 million. Mothers and mothers-in-law are the only people allowed to look after children and, according to The Guardian, men aren't even entitled to attend family gatherings. What's more, when women marry in the Khasi tribe, their surname is passed down instead that of their husbands.
Sarah is a freelancer writer and contributor to Town & Country Magazine where she covers lifestyle and shopping.
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