The more common first marriage is to a divorcee, for whom the bridewealth payments are much lower. Marriage between cousins also reduces the required bride-price. In case of divorce, children stay with the father. While agnatic relations take precedence for legal matters and inheritance, kin relations are recognized through both lines. Kin terms make no distinctions for agnates above the parental generation or for cousins, who are all classed as brothers and sisters.
Agnates generally live together in their own wards within a city, town, or village.
Although there are no corporate lineages as such, in the eyes of the law these groups of neighboring agnates are treated as corporate units, in the sense that they are responsible for the actions of their members. People without agnates upon whom they can depend are social outcasts. About two-thirds of the population live in 248 villages of from 1,000 to 5,000 people. About one-quarter live in cities over 10,000. Hamlets are found about every one to two miles, and larger villages every five to six.