It was the King of the Kongo's sister who founded the second Woyo dynasty. As disease, drought and slaving enveloped the region in the 18th century, the royal power of the Queen witnessed a gradual decline. Extended families instituted a more egalitarian system of rule. Men fish in the ocean, collect coconuts, and make palm wine. They also practice some hunting and do most of their own smithing.
Women also fish, mostly in local ponds.
They contribute significantly to the local economy, farming corn, manioc, bananas, beans, and pineapple. Surplus food is often traded to inland neighbors for profit under the supervision of local lineage heads from individual villages. Woyo political leaders, who are selected based on their individual abilities, are usually directly descended from the family line of the original Woyo founders. Many of those associated with Woyo religion, such as priests and diviners, are also representatives of this noble line, as are blacksmiths and sculptors. There are many who live in Woyo communities who are not related to royalty.