Lesbians relationships were also commonplace in Swahili society. Lesbians (known as or (plural: or ), literally "grinders") also had certain societal roles, including doing tasks typically associated with men. Similarly to relationships, relationships were also defined for economic purposes, though less so. The older partner ( (plural: )) was typically wealthier and of a higher social class. Women who resisted marriage and were interested in education and careers were perceived as being , regardless of their actual sexual orientation. Collectively, homosexuals were called (literally "woman, not man").