Also known as Simalur, Simeuloë, Simulul, Long Bano and Devayan) the Simeulue people speak Simeulue, a Northwest Sumatra–Barrier Islands language closely related to Sikule and Nias, which is a language spoken by the people in the neighbouring island of Nias. In present times, the Simeulue house is usually built with a one metre in height concrete foundation. However, due to the frequent seismic activity in the region, wood or tin or thatch is often used as its roof. And instead of beds, the Simeulue people prefer to sleep on mats on the floor and leave the lights on, in the event they need to make a quick exit during an earthquake. It is also a common practice for unmarried children to live their parents and sometimes their grandparents under the same roof. In addition, during the first year of their marriage, it is obligatory for the son-in-law to live with his wife’s family for a year and another after their first child is born. The new couple will then be allowed to move out on their own and usually they would settle down close to his extended family upon moving out.