Ryukyuan religion
The "noro" or "nuuru" priestesses are the oldest "kaminchu" in the Ryukyu Islands. They communicate with, make offerings to, and, at times, [[channeling (mediumistic)|channel]] ancestors, local gods and more powerful deities. Their primary duty is to officiate at communitywide (that is, "official") festivals and rituals. These rituals take place in a sacred space, usually in a grove (or "ong"), at a cave or by the sea. Men were forbidden to enter these sacred spaces ([[Ryukyuan religion#Community worship|v.s.]] for more information concerning community worship). Another of their primary functions was the protection and fueling of the communal fire, which was used to establish new households.