A Study on Rainmaking Rituals in Desert Zone of Iran

Water is a particular symbol in social ceremonies and behaviors in all areas and in different religions. Water is the life's essence and raining makes the life possible. In Iranian Folklore water is a symbol of lightness. When the rain stops flowing, then the life is in danger and it makes people to do rainmaking rituals to invoke rain. If we take a look at different rainmaking rituals in deferent areas of Iran, we will realize that there are special behaviors to invoke rain. The long term droughts and vitality of water in desert areas, all have led to emergence of ceremonies for rainmaking in figures that mostly are associated with ancient mythologies. Rainmaking rituals is performed in two ways in Iran, that is either individually or in groups. However, most of the ceremonies for rainmaking are performed in groups and are accompanied with ethical and traditional songs and dancing or prayers. The songs which are sung in these ceremonies are performed in specific dialects in every zone of Iran. But almost most of them possess similar nature. These ceremonies are performed whit special traditions, behaviors and songs in cities of desert zone. The present research takes a glance on the ceremonies of rainmaking in this zone and the mythologies about rain.