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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Redressing Drought. Rituals of Rain-Making among the Guruntun and Mupun People in Nigeria
Authors:Danfulani, Umar H.D.ISNI
Haruna, AndrewISNI
Year:1998
Periodical:Africana Marburgensia
Volume:31
Issue:1-2
Pages:20-36
Language:English
Geographic terms:Nigeria
Northern Nigeria
Subjects:rainmaking
Guruntum
Mupun
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Religion and Witchcraft
Abstract:Among the agrarian societies of the Guruntun and Mupun, who live in the Sahel region of northern Nigeria, rain is indispensable for human, animal, and crop life. Failure of rain is associated with affliction and conflict, and peace - among humans and between humans and the spirit realm - must first be restored before rainmaking rites are performed. The ritual of rainmaking is a communal affair, resorted to only in times of drought. Using an interdisciplinary approach drawing on anthropology, linguistics, and the history of religion, this article examines the cleansing or purificatory and redressive rituals involved in rainmaking ceremonies among the Guruntun and the Mupun, and draws comparisons with the rainmaking rites of the neighbouring Babbure and Mwaghavul. The hermeneutics of various symbols used in the process of rainmaking indicates that the ceremonies help to preserve the language of worship. Bibliogr., notes, ref.
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