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.
Farms extend in a circle from the settlement, with scattered farms, pastures, and free land beyond.
Before European contact, Bornu was a feudal state, with royal lineages, a land-holding aristocracy, peasants, and slaves. Today important political leaders are in almost all cases descendants of the aristocratic lineages, but popular elections have added commoners to their ranks. When the English took control at the beginning of this century, they abolished slavery and usurped the top decision-making positions, but left most of the social system intact. In towns and cities, however, social stratification is pronounced, and wealth differences may be great. New trading opportunities, Western education, and political power through election and financial support of others, have created a situation in which there are many commoners today who are as wealthy as the aristocrats.