A household typically consists of a husband, a wife, and their children, like American households, but family influence extends far beyond. To a traditional Kurdish man, his household and family are very private matters, not to be discussed in casual conversation and not a matter for public concern. Most Kurdish marriages are still arranged, and it is often assumed that Kurds marry only Kurds. A boy or girl's mother engages in the research and negotiation involved in choosing a mate, and potential candidates are carefully looked over for their character, behavior, and family connections. Sometimes the boy or girl might have a say in the choice of mate, but frequently the chosen mate is a cousin, even a first cousin.
Weddings are important social occasions, and are hosted by the groom's family.
The final event of a wedding takes place when a party from the groom's family travels with great pomp to the bride's parents' house and carries the bride from there to her new house. Local Autonomy Kurdish society is traditionally tribal. Kurdish tribes are united more by geographical area than by relationship to a common ancestor, but in other respects they fit the anthropologists' definition. The leader's position was in some cases hereditary and in other cases elective, and his power was frequently perceived in terms of the wealth at his command. The leader made all decisions and could be counted on to keep foremost in mind the benefit to the tribe members and consequently to his own power as leader.