Very little distinction is made between one's children and nieces and nephews. They address their maternal uncle as "inaimiwa" and maternal aunts as "mwendya" and for their paternal uncle and aunt as "mwendw'au". They address their paternal cousins as "wa-asa" or "wa'ia" (for men is "mwanaasa" or "mwanaa'ia", and for women is "mwiitu wa'asa" or "mwiitu wa'ia"), and the maternal cousins (mother's side) as "wa mwendya" (for men "mwanaa mwendya"; for women "mwiitu wa mwendya"). Children often move from one household to another with ease, and are made to feel at home by their aunts and uncles who, while in charge of their nephews/nieces, are their de facto parents.