Family

The three tribes of the Alam are each sub-divided into scores of different families. These extended families are the basis of Alam society, members of a family will often live together in large sprawling estates of houses and villas. In contrast to their mercantile attitude with others, family members can be generous and gracious with each other, without any expectation of favour or obligation.

Families are always matrilineal, descent is traced through the woman's line. This means that if two Alam marry, the man is expected to leave his family and join his wife's family. Children are always raised by the mother and the men and women of her family. In this way the Alam can ensure that every single member of the nation can trace an unbroken line back to the three Founders.

A family can be exceptionally large, so there is no requirement for the active members be closely related to each other.