The Tang and Song dynasties were two very different eras in Chinese history. During the Tang Dynasty, women were much more valued and played a vital role in society. They were important religiously, economically and politically. As mentioned earlier in pastoral societies, women played the role of shaman in the religious community. This helped raise their status within the community and gain a good level of respect within their town. In the economic sector, women played a crucial role and worked mainly in textile factories manufacturing clothing and various other items. Textiles and agriculture were the main sources of income for the community and women had their place in both fields and played an important role in the economic growth of the community. In the political sector, women sometimes sit on government boards. This helped in many ways, including achieving more rights and freedoms for women than previous generations had imagined. Senior government officials were sometimes even advised by women who held important roles within the community and these women were very well off and often came from wealthy, wealthy families.