It is similar to the father-son relationship in that supreme loyalty and respect is given to the head of the household at all times. Like most children, the young Kanuri children often play games with each other. Even before puberty, children learn the roles they will take on when they reach maturity. Kanuri men marry while they are in their early twenties. Polygamy is common and a man may have as many as four wives.
Young girls marry while they are in their teens.
Ideally, a man wants his first wife to be a young virgin. However, the bride price for a virgin is quite expensive, so men often take divorced women as their first wives. The divorce rate among the Kanuri is extremely high, with eight out of ten marriages ending in divorce. The traditional Kanuri dress consists of large robe-type garments that are worn with turbans or brightly embroidered caps. The large robes provide protection from the consistent heat.