The Chief’s Runaway Bride is inspired by the story of Xiao Shuming, a Han woman who married a Mosuo chief.  The article below from China Daily provides a detailed account of her incredible story:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/html/cd/1996/199610/19961030/19961030010_1.html

I visited Madam Xiao on a few occasions, when I stayed in the village she had resided before she passed away. She was a very talkative lady, who loved to smoke cigarettes.