The inhabitants of the Kumaon hills are commonly known as the Kumaonese. They belong to a predominantly patriarchal society, which recognizes the superiority of men over women. The social structure is based on the extended family system, the eldest male member being the head of the family. Women are respected in society but they usually confine themselves to household activities. No religious ceremony is considered complete without the wife joining the husband.
Women also work in the fields and forests alongside the men.
In Kumaon, bigamy or polygamy has religious sanctions but polyandry is prohibited. Child marriage is still practiced in all classes of society despite legal restrictions on it. It has all but disappeared from the educated society. The Kumaonese are fond of music, folk dance, and songs accompanied by local musical instruments like murli, bina, and hurka. They go from place to place narrating folklores, singing the praise of their gods and goddesses.