Research conducted in 1983 among agro-pastoralists in Somalia indicates that older males violate cultural and religious rules concerning the transfer of land and animals. Although all transfers are to be equal, one or two 'good' sons are rewarded with high quality land and animals while other sons receive inferior property. Conflict over the transfer of property is avoided through the validating role of the village council of older males. The introduction of new resources has not altered the existing pattern as older males have been able to incorporate the new resources into the traditional system of property control and transfer and thus assure themselves of a secure old age.