Rain making in Africa

It is an amazing thing that an individual can invoke the god of rain and request him to send down the rain and he obeys and rain start falling. Rain making is an ancient science that the pagan utilize to moisten their farms in times of drought. There are special people who have the inspiration or power to perform the art of rain making. The methods of making rain differ from place to place and according to the severity of the drought. However in recent years those who have the power to make rain no longer use the power for the right purpose. Some of the rain makers are using the power to intimidate people by sending down the rain when they have occasion to celebrate unless the celebrant gives money as a form of bribery.

Naturally water which comes in form of rain is a free gift from God. The seasons of the year has been so created by nature thus providing time for planting and time to harvest. The time of planting is associated with rain while the time for harvest is associated with dryness. However dryness can be observed even in the rainy season. Dryness is caused by two reasons. According to peasant beliefs drought are caused by either change of season whereby the rain comes to a temporary break while another form of drought is belief to be caused by the sins committed by the people of the place. Therefore in principle drought is not natural but a sign of remorse by God to his people.

The role of the rain makers is therefore the role of a chief priest who can beacon the god and plead with him to pardon his people. Rain makers have different methods. Some of their technique are scientific at times while at other times is purely religious. The scientific method uses a type of stone often referred to as the crystal stone on one hand while on the other way the rain maker would enter the bush and pluck leaves, stems and even roots of plants, shrubs and grasses. The combination of these things is burn in fire and as soon as the smoke reached the heaven the rain starts pouring... Is that not amazing science? But this is true to the core. In the use of the crystal stone, the performer washes the stone and as soon as the stone starts glazing the sky starts changing and soon rain starts. But the later is dangerous at some period of season because it often attracts heavy thunderstorm.

When drought occurs as a result of sins, it is easier to handle that when it is natural. In a place where prostitution take place it is a common yearly occurrence that drought exists at the time when water is most needed. I have witness this happen in two year consecutively. The solution to this was that the prostitutes were forced out to sweep the main roads as a plea to god of rain. In addition the chief priest offered prayers and within the next two days after the ritual ceremony heavy rain fell with thunderstorms that wrecked some buildings. What a strong natural force. Anyone in doubt of rain making can please refer to the article below to find out from the German sponsored studies on rain making in Nigeria.

Rituals and ceremonies accompanying rainmaking among the Guruntum ...