Noro as a public position

Okinawa has a long history of the nature and ancestor worship, and women performed these rituals traditionally. [Niya] or [Nidukuru] is the descendants of the founder of the village. Women chosen from the descendants, known as [Niigan], performed the rituals. Even during eras when aji would annex several villages, the rituals were performed by women, usually by the younger sister of the aji. During the reign of Sho Shin, second descendent of Sho, Kikoeokimi systematized the female servants of god in charge of these rituals. The priestesses ［Noro］of each region were designated by the royal government, and the regions came under the royal government’s control.

The role of highest female servant of god is often taken by the sister of the king. She has spiritual power [Seji] and is responsible for protecting the kingdom.

Highest-ranking female servants of god next to Kikoeokimi. They are “Oamushirare of Shuri”, “Oamushirare of Makabe”, “Oamushirare of Gibo”

High-ranked female servants of god, “Aoriyae of Nakijin”, “Chinbei of Kumejima”, “Ohamu of Naha” etc. Sanjusankimi literary means 33 of them but means many.

Basically, nomination is recommended but there is a tendency to select by heredity.