Having brought Yankee in, locate exotic follower (7)
I believe the answer is:
acolyte
'follower' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
(Other definitions for acolyte that I've seen before include "Person who assists a priest" , "Priest's attendant" , "Priest's assistant at a liturgical service" , "Assistant to a priest" , "candle-stick holder?" .)