Lige Island is located on the northwestern part of Lugu Lake. Actually a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides and backed by Goddess Mountain, it has some of the lake's most beautiful scenery. Lige Island is home to more than thirty families of Mosuo. The Mosuo are a matriarchal and matrilineal ethnic group famous for practicing “walking marriages”, or bonds based on mutual affection, where the woman allows the man permission to court her. Within a given family group, the grandmother holds the highest status. On clear evenings, Lige Village holds a Bonfire Party. At least one person from each of the Mosuo households joins the festivities wearing gorgeous local clothing and jewelry. The great square at the center of the village is full of people singing and dancing around the bonfire.