They are generally despised and mistrusted by their Batak neighbors, who suspect them of partaking in all kinds of witchcraft. Like No longer living in the trees, the Lubu now live in huts built on the ground. The chief of the bandja is called na bodjo bodjo . When a chief dies, he is succeeded by his son. After the age of twelve, both sexes are expected to sleep in these communal houses.
Marriages usually take place when the girls turn fifteen.
A small bride-price is required, but most Lubu men do not have the ability to pay it. The Lubu grow rice as their staple crop. However, on the whole, they do not seem very particular in their choice of food. For special delicacies, they eat mice and bats, as well as monkeys killed with blowguns. The musical instruments and songs of the Lubu have been adopted from the Batak.