THE MYSTICAL ART OF RAINMAKING

As the founder and creative director of Anthill Studios, a prominent media production facility, Akinmolayan goes on a journey with a crew of movie practitioners to uncover the intersection between science and juju (African mysticism), through the lens of rainmaking. Rainmaking or ‘rain calling’, which emphasizes artificial precipitation or pluviculture, involves the deliberate effort to induce or enhance rainfall artificially. In Africa and certain Asian communities, this practice is subject to varied perspectives. Some view it through the lens of black magic or mystical manipulation, while others attribute it to the ability of the rainmaker to have the foresight to calculate, forecast, and keep a record and knowledge of the weather and their environment. However, some dismiss it as fraudulent and devoid of reality. In Rainmakers, Akinmolayan seeks to explore this enigmatic phenomenon by navigating between the worlds of universally acclaimed meteorological data and the mystic cultural traditions of invoking and controlling rain in Africa.

Rainmakers aims to uncover the enigmatic traditional Yoruba mysticism and art of rainmaking. Released on the 1st of March 2024 and narrated by Ade Obatoyinbo, the film takes viewers across three cities—Ijebu-Imosan, Oyo, and Benin—believed to preserve the ancient practice of rainmaking. Collaborating with 20 practitioners across these locations, the crew endeavours to document and scrutinize traditional ritual practices alongside modern scientific weather predictions. This ambitious scope and attempt ultimately makes the film fall short of convincingly portraying rainmaking as a tangible phenomenon, leaving room for viewers to question its validity. While ostensibly aiming to explore and document the mystical craft of rainmaking in Yoruba and Benin cultures, the film fails to deliver a comprehensive experience, falling short of its intended purpose. Therefore, the documentary only scratches the surface of this complex subject matter and struggles to powerfully depict the traditional art and science behind rainmaking, as it attempts to justify it with scientific weather forecasts.

The docufilm opens with narrator, Obatoyinbo, underscoring the profound natural and cultural significance of rain. Rain is revered as a vital blessing essential for agriculture and atmospheric regulation. However, the need to summon or prevent rain arises when a critical and urgent necessity for the ritual emerges. Rooted in ancient traditions, rainmaking is based on the belief that certain individuals possess the unique ability to communicate with the spirits and elements of nature. These individuals, known as rainmakers (Ológbojò in Yoruba, Okwese Ogbani among the Tivs, and Ọgha mmiri among the Ibos), harness their spiritual connection to induce rain and alleviate droughts. Obatoyinbo emphasizes the purpose behind rainmaking, highlighting the crew’s investigative endeavour to ascertain the authenticity of this practice and probe whether it is indeed grounded in reality or merely perceived as such. As a documentary/experimental film, it becomes crucial to gauge the public’s diverse opinions and perceptions regarding the control and manipulation of rain. While some interviewees assert firsthand encounters with rainmaking or rain-stopping rituals, others acknowledge its potential realism. Conversely, some dismiss it as impossible, labelling it an unscientific notion. Armed with these varying viewpoints, the crew embarks on a quest to enlist the expertise of esteemed rainmakers.

The crew arrives at their first destination in Ijebu-Imosan, eager to meet a renowned rainmaker tasked with inducing rainfall on a day predicted to be dry by weather forecasts. Alhaji Ahmed, a celebrated hunter and reputed rainmaker, was engaged for the task, and he assured the crew of his ability to summon rain on this significant day. After negotiating a fee of ₦100,000 and procuring the necessary sacrificial ingredients, the rainmaker commenced his preparations. While promising to achieve results within 90 minutes, the crew found themselves waiting for six hours without any sign of rain. Despite the rainmaker’s persistent assurance and claims of past success in inducing rainfall, he failed to deliver even a drizzle on this occasion. The sky remained clear, and his deities, Agemo and Ogun, seemingly rejected his offerings and denied him access to manipulate the ecosystem. Disheartened, the crew departed, their disappointment palpable.

Their next destination led them to Oyo State, coinciding with a significant moment of celebration within the region. The Oyo people were commemorating the passing of their late king, presenting what seemed to be an opportune moment for rain prevention efforts. Oyo holds revered status in the mystical practices of rain prevention and invocation, making it a fitting location for the crew’s experimental endeavours. Upon arrival, the crew engaged with Sango worshippers in Oyo to articulate the purpose of their visit. Baba Sango, alongside one of Sango’s devotees, Sangomayowa, elucidated the intricacies of the phenomenon to the crew. They emphasized that rain prevention cannot be forced; rather, it requires appeasement and sacrificial offerings to Sango for their supplications to be heeded. The crew was informed that the experiment would commence following the celebration of the demise of the great Oyo king, scheduled to be held the day after the crew’s arrival. The next day, the day of the celebration, the weather forecast indicated a 90 percent probability of rain. However, the Sango worshippers confidently asserted that it would remain dry throughout the day, with any precipitation occurring later, possibly in the evening. True to their assertions, rainfall commenced precisely as they predicted, manifesting after 9 p.m., following the conclusion of the celebrations.