Men fish, help in the pulaka pits, and are responsible for agriculture. The floor is elevated above a coral foundation and is made comfortable by rough coconut-frond mats under fine pandanus mats. The home is fitted with woven coconut-frond shutters that are lowered when it rains. Mothers are very protective of daughters because virginity is highly prized in a bride. The traditional competitiveness between the bride's and groom's families to provide the best and most food at a wedding feast is discouraged on some islands, either by prior agreement between the families about their respective responsibilities, or by a pastor sponsoring a group wedding of several couples and a combined feast afterwards.
Celebrations can last for days.
The newly-weds spend their first night at the groom's family home and their second at the bride's family home. Foods are normally steamed, boiled, or roasted in a ground oven. Imported items such as flour, sugar, rice, salt beef, corned beef, and tea have also made their way into the diet and are popular among those who can afford them. Tuvaluans eat three meals a day. Toddy is collected twice daily by older boys and young men who are responsible for a few coconut trees each.