The village is a compact and stable social and political unit, with a corporate personality. It is divided into Quarters, but these, thought opposed to each other, have no precise boundaries or communal activities or responsibilities. The households consist of patrilocal families, ideally of three generations, but in practice mostly of two. The village criterion of separation of households is separate cooking. Households vary in size from two to seventeen persons.
Agnates are often neighbours.
The main function of the group is defence in quarrels and fights. The senior member of a kabile has a vague responsibility and authority over the members. The group helps its members in time of misfortune, and is conspicuous on festal occasions. It has no formal organisation. Patrilateral kin ties at a personal level are not characterised by rules or formalities.