Author(s): Elif Åebnem DEMÄ°RCÄ°
Water which is the first substance in the creation of the Earth, is very important for the people who earn their living by agriculture and farming. The people without the modern farming and irrigation facilities yet living off the land obtain their need for water with rain rituals. Since the ancient societies didn’t have any knowledge about the movements in the sky considered the reason for rain was due to the anger of God, and they applied to religious-magic customs. The practices performed by the Shamans who alter natural events are examples of active magic. “Yada Ta??” was thrown into water to have rain. These practices led to emerge of a water culture. The practices in ancient Turks also resemble those of other societies. They believed all the mountains, wells, lakes, rivers, trees and springs have their masters. Water masters, water mothers and water fathers were enshrined and various offerings were presented to waters. This belief have been reflected into today in various ways. Although the origin of praying for rain dated back to pre-islamic periods, later the word “pray” began to be used together with “rain” with the influence of Islam. The practices done in our country for rain are divided into two groups as those that are conducted by adults and those by the children. In praying for rain performed by children in the form of a drama, water is an important component. In practices performed by adults to obtain rain, various offerings are presented to water. In this study, the offerings presented in our country to water to make it rain are going to be reviewed and information about the origins of these practices will be presented.
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