Yamari worship the Mother Goddess, Creator of All. The Yamari believe that all humans were created in Her image. The role of men in Yamari society has its roots in cultural, not religious, evolution. The Goddess, as she is most commonly referred to, behaves much the same in Yamari culture as a human mother does. She is loving, nurturing, largely benevolent and fertile. However, she has no patience with her children misbehaving and there are many legends of people being punished or chastised because they angered or dishonored the Goddess. The Yamari acknowledge four aspects of the Goddess: the Maiden, the Mother, the Warrior and the Crone. Each aspect has its own sphere of influence and invocations but all are still the Goddess.
Priestesses of the Goddess fulfill many different functions. They tend to the upkeep of temples and shrines, administer to the spiritual needs of the population living around the temple they are assigned to, offer advice and counseling, accept donations for extra prayers or from grateful citizens, minister to the sick and the poor, among other things. Priestesses can marry and have children and own property. A portion of the Empire's taxes goes to the temples along with donations and that is how priestesses are paid.
A novice priestess is called an Acolyte and makes very little money while she is being trained. Acolyte's wear white robes with red and black stripes on the hems and cuff of sleeves. If her talents merit it, the next step up is Priestess. Priestesses wear red robes with white and black stripes on hem and sleeve cuffs. After that, a woman might make High Priestess and be in charge of more than one temple. High Priestesses wear black robes with white and red stripes on hem and sleeve cuffs. The highest ranking Priestess, elected by her peers, bears the title Dona and is one of the Queen's Councilors.