Why China Li ethnic group’s 6,000-year pottery tradition passed down exclusively to women

China’s Li ethnic group is known for a pottery-making tradition that is historically passed down exclusively to women. The Li people are one of China’s 56 official ethnic groups. They are also the largest indigenous ethnic minority on the southern Chinese island of Hainan. Around 90 per cent of its 1.4 million national population lives on the island. The group had a matriarchal tradition until the mid-20th century, which was reflected in the group’s unique pottery-making customs that lasted for...