The family unit in customary law is the household (or”kraal” as it is most commonly referred to in the law reports). The family group of each wife forms a “house” as defined in the Black Administration Act. Whenever a man has more than one wife there are two or more” houses” in one household (or “kraal”). The concepts of both house and household being primarily of groups of persons it makes no difference whether the geographical place of residence is rural or urban. The senior in law is not necessarily the oldest, male member of the family but he will be the head of the household (or kraalhead) as referred to in a number of law reports.
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