Request for Rain Ceremonies in Southern Khorasan

Folk literature and the public culture have attracted the attention of many researchers and cultural analysts. Public belief is a set of knowledge, beliefs, and group of behaviors which are not consistent with scientific and logical standards and paying attention to these beliefs seems necessary in terms of keeping the valuable legacies of public culture. One of the issues that could be investigated in public cultures is the predictions of people about different phenomenon; since the weather plays a great role in the life style and professions of people, part of the vulgar beliefs in each region is devoted to weather forecasting. Since Southern Khorasan has a dry dessert climate, it is usually faced with drought and a lack of rain, therefore part of the vulgar beliefs in this region focuses on demanding rain. This article tries to investigate the rain demanding beliefs and its related traditions in Southern Khorasanis, to understand their method of thinking and its formation, hence attempting to save the public culture.