Prior to European missionaries, Tongans lived in dispersed settlement patterns that were kin-based and kin-related Territorial units. A typical Tongan residential site included a home (fale), with a thatched roof and sides made from woven coconut-palm fronds, as well as a separate area for cooking purposes that would have an earthen oven ('umu). Today, in addition to some traditional thatched homes, numerous nontraditional or European-American homes (made of wood, concrete, and metal) are located throughout the islands.