Forming a spiritual community of practitioners, those who congregate at the ounfò are known as the "pitit kay" (children of the house). They serve the lwa under the authority of an oungan or manbo, below whom is ranked the "ounsi", individuals who make a lifetime commitment to serving the lwa. Members of either sex can join the ounsi, although the majority are female. The ounsi have many duties, such as cleaning the peristil, sacrificing animals, and taking part in the dances at which they must be prepared to be possessed by a lwa. The oungan and manbo oversee initiatory ceremonies whereby people become ounsi, oversee their training, and act as their counsellor, healer, and protector. In turn, the ounsi are expected to be obedient to their oungan or manbo.