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Women of the Sacred Groves: Divine Priestesses of Okinawa
Women of the Sacred Groves Divine Priestesses of Okinawa Author:Susan Starr Sered A study of the priestesses in Okinawa, the southernmost islands of Japan, which is the only contemporary society in which women lead the official, mainstream, publicly funded religion. Priestesses are the acknowledged religious leaders within the home, clan, & village. This study provides a gender-sensitive look at a remarkable religious traditi... more »on. Sered spent a year living in an Okinawan fishing village, joining priestesses as they conducted rituals in the sacred groves located deep in the mountains surrounding the village. Her observations focus upon the meaning of being a priestess & the interplay between women's religious preeminence & other aspects of the society.« less