Each clan had its particular holding, and since the field-work devolved upon the men, the cultivated plots belonged to them alone.

Within each allotment every member who was of age, or so situated as to have to support himself or a family, owned and tilled a certain plot which was his by common consent, although in no manner determined by metes or bounds.

The condition of ownership was regular improvement of the plot, and if that condition was not complied with, any other member of the same clan could step in and work it for his own benefit.

In case of death the field reverted to the maternal relative of its owner, whereas the widow and children fell back for support upon the resources of their own clan.

Hence the singular feature that each household got its livelihood from two distinct groups of blood-relatives.