Land was the most valuable commodity on the island and there were strict inheritance rules to ensure that it remained within the family. Property brought to the marriage by the husband goes to the eldest son when he marries. Property brought by the wife goes to the eldest daughter. Any property acquired by the father after the marriage, as a result of his own labour, is equally divided among the younger children. If the wife has no daughter, the second son takes her property and bequeaths it to his eldest daughter. The law of inheritance leads to a significant increase in land ownership among women.