The largest social group within the societal structure of the Poku Saeruo Degonjo is a Ruoka (rūō-kă) or House. Each House is composed of hundreds of extended families, each with several generations of members. They can be patriarchal or matriarchal, depending on their own House culture and traditions. Some of the Clan Houses can trace their history back to before the Norka (The Exodus). Each house has its own Afirmugaly (Heraldry). Individual members of a given House can be members of different Jaeli (Sects), though a small house's members tend to all be part of the same sect.
Each house may have its own unique roles that Houses members may fill. Such roles might include analogues to a Master-at-arms, a Matchmaker, or a dedicated Midwife. Two positions that all Houses, whether great or small, must have include the Speaker for the House, and the Second of a House. These are significant Positions. The Speaker and the Second act as leaders for the House, and they advocate on the House's behalf to the Tanoi (Council).
The marriage ritual in the Clan is the Sumanâpa Punla (Making Family).
Poku'vonai do not marry within their Punla (Family); this would mean marrying immediate relatives, and this is not done in the Clan. The culture does, however, encourage marriage within the same House; this strengthens the House and builds social bonds between member families. Clan members can marry outside of their House; this may upset some more traditionally-minded relatives, but there is no law against it. In fact, inter-House marriages which carry political or social benefits may be seen positively.
In scenarios where members of two different Houses wish to marry, they are faced with three choices. They can join the husband's House, the wife's House, or they may start their own House. See Creating a House in this article for more details.
A Ruoka'ka Major House is large, respected, and well established social unit. Which has at least one hundred sizeable families counted as members. They typically have a distinguished history of achievements within the clan. Thanks to their reputation and strength, Ruoka'ka typically receive the best arms, armor and ships that the Otâmovi Wiy Jael (Silver Moon Sect) has to offer; they have demonstrated their effectiveness, and have shown that they can do much good for the Clan when properly equipped.
Each Ruoka'ka has a seat on the Tanoi (Council).
A Ruoka'sa Minor House typically has fewer than one hundred families, though some are larger. They do not enjoy the privilege of having a seat on the Council. They are young, compared to the Major Houses, but can be ambitious and energetic. There is no inherent shame in being from a Minor House, though the Major Houses are more distinguished by virtue of their size and history.
For a Minor House to become a Major House, the Minor House must first meet the minimum requirements. They must have more than one hundred families, and they should have attained a respectable level of achievements and notoriety in Clan society. They then approach the Council and petition for the status of Ruoka'ka. The approval only requires a simple majority of the seated Council. In most cases, the Council drafts a list of recommended acts that the Ruoka'sa should take in order to be considered and elevated to Ruoka'ka. This list of recommended accomplishments and quests gives the Minor House clear and achievable goals; upon meeting those goals, they can return and petition once more. It is exceptionally rare for a Ruoka'sa's request for elevation to be accepted upon their first approach of the Council; such a House would have had to have accomplished something major in order to be so honored.
The creation of a House is an important and difficult undertaking. It means that two or more Poku'vonai are separating from their Houses, joining neither and choosing to form their own instead. Such an act can perturb those Houses, and the Clan members wishing to form their own House may not understand the gravity of their task. The Council is cautious when hearing these petitions. Petitioners must convince the council, and prove that they have the means and resources to fulfill the responsibilities of a House and operate it in service to the Clan. A rejection means that the petitioners failed to convince a majority of the council, and they must remain in their Houses.
This section lists some of the known Ruoka of the clan. Note that a Rouka with the 'jo added to their names are from the Âdor-Pedavuome, an Ark of the Norka (The Exodus) that was thought lost until it was discovered in 631 CY (YE -88 ). They were given the 'jo to distinguish them from Houses which had made the journey on the other Arks.
These are some of the larger and more influential Ruoka'ka.
These are some of the smaller more numerous Ruoka.