There are five organizations of Dunmer in the region of Morrowind that are known as Great Houses. They have their origins in ancient Velothi tribes, and function effectively as political parties within the Morrowind polity, as well as controlling much of the trade and local administration in the province. Representatives from each of the Great Houses form the Grand Council, the body that has ruled Morrowind since the late First Era. The Houses themselves also have ruling councils, which enforce House policy and conduct.