The prominent place of priestesses within Candomblé has led some observers to describe it as a matriarchal religion, although such a characterisation has been disputed. The priest and priestess is assisted by others, including the "iyakekerê" ("little mother"), or the "little father". Other roles in the terreiro include the "iyabase", who prepares food for the orixás, and the "alabê" (musical director). The membership of a terreiro is conceived as a "family" and its initiates consider each one another to be 'brothers' and 'sisters' in the orixá ("irmãos de santo"). Sexual or romantic relations between members of the terreiro is usually forbidden, although happen nevertheless. Being initiated connects an individual to the historical lineage of the terreiro; this lineage is linked to the axé of the terreiro, an axé that can be transferred from a mother-terreiro to a new one being established.