Rite of asking for rain from turkmens

Abstract

The historical past convincingly shows us that humanity is highly dependent. One of the elements of such a connection for many hundreds and thousands of years has been water. The arid climate of Turkmenistan intensified human dependence on water. The few mountain rivers of the foothill zone could not satisfy the needs of the early farming culture that arose here back in the late Neolithic. In such an environment, water becomes the most important and valuable wealth of man. The shortage of irrigated agriculture begins to be compensated by the collection and careful storage of heavenly precipitation, that is, the development of rainfed agriculture begins. The image of life-giving moisture is recorded in the spiritual and material cultural past of society. The materials presented in the article give us the opportunity to take a more conscious look and understand the value of this natural gift. Realizing his dependence on nature, a person begins to address his prayers to divine powers and offer sacrifices, thereby developing certain ceremonies and rituals. The activities of professional «rain seekers'were practiced until the beginning of the 20th century. Nevertheless, until the annual day when spring ritual traditions and songs were preserved, which are an integral part of the spiritual culture of the Turkmen people.