In the early history of Ebira people, the family was headed by the father or the oldest male who acted as the provider, religious leader and the protector of the nuclear family ("Ireh"). Other important social systems are compounds ("Ohuoje") which are composed of related or kindred patrilineal families, "Ovovu", the outer compounds and then lineages ("Abara"), composed of several related compounds. The Clan ("Iresu") which is a community of kindred lineages in Ebiraland is led by the Otaru. Clan identities are distinguished by symbols mostly animals such as leopard, crocodile, python or buffalo. The affairs of the community were managed by a group of elder male members each representing related lineages.