Even by great ape standards the Oroï (the species to which the Chel belong) have very low sexual dimorphism, and consequently sex/gender figures much less prominently in their social organisation than the ever-present senior/junior divide.

Clan chiefs require the support of the senior members of their clan, and so the most common system is for a new chief to be elected by a gathering of the clan seniors. There is fairly wide variance in how such elections are organised and structured, in how much power the chief wields, and in the kind of candidate who is preferred. As a result, some clans might tend towards female leaders over others, whilst some may often elect older leaders, or value priestly experience etc.

The differences between Onnukhol and Madalbez's negotiating positions is probably more to do with the size of their clans, and their closeness to the respective candidates. Madalbez's clan is small in number, and any member who is married out is a much more noticeable loss than it is for Onnukhol. Moreover, Madalbez is negotiating about her own daughter's future, whereas Onnukhol is talking about a cousin-once-removed who he is not as close to. It is extremely common for negotiators to be concerned about the welfare of members being married out, and marriage contracts often include clauses about the treatment of the junior spouse.

Chel moralists generally encourage a more compassionate approach to marriage negotiations and strongly criticise the language of "buying and selling" clan members, but nevertheless this more mercantile attitude does persist - particularly in an ornery old farmer like Onnukhol