Many married couples have joined Damanhur and live communally with other couples. Single individuals have also joined the community. Many have entered into one, two or three year provisional marriages. Most of the latter are renewed at the end of their term. The result is a form of serial monogamy for some members, that is not unlike the lifestyle seen elsewhere in industrialized countries.
Citizens abandon the use of their family names and adopt two new names when they join the community.
The first is the name of an animal species, the second is of a plant. They use magic and alchemy practices to promote a return to humanity's pre-fall state. The use of tobacco and illegal drugs is prohibited within the community. The most important activity of the community is the construction of its underground temple . They are organized as a federation of separate communities, with their own constitution, schools, flag, calendar, and daily newspaper.