This contrasts with the Northern Gilbert Islands where groups of families or kainga would have their own separate leaders, and the Southern Gilberts (from Nonouti southwards) where the old men or unimwane collectively would meet in the maneaba to govern.
Isto contrasta co norte das Illas Gilbert, onde os grupos de familias ou kainga tiñan os seus propios líderes independentes, e os das Gilbert Sur (desde o sur de Nonouti), onde os anciáns ou unimwane reuníanse colectivamente na Maneaba para gobernar.