Kozi Prayers for Rain

"On my island, it's better to ask for rain before you start planting anything. My aunt learned the hard way when we lost a whole field to a really bad drought.

— Inazin Makato, a Kozoni cowpoke

  In the northern islands of the Sunlit Horizon, there is frequent drought so it's hard to grow crops. When Kozoni are planting seeds, they will ask the Hydro Dragon for rain, if it is a dry season. Within a day or two, there is usually some rain to water the crops.  

History

The Kozoni believe that singing and prayers are the way to attract the attention of the Dragons in times of need. In the past, it is thought that two Dragons came to the aid of their ancestors when they arrived in the Sunlit Horizon. They helped nourish the soil so they could escape the Settlers and live there for a long time. Each tribe has a different story of how the Dragons came to listen, and this evolved into the rain prayers seen today.  

Isinoki

Just before the growing season, the villagers on Isinoki will stand around their nearby well so the chief of the village can pray. The Isi believe that the Hydro Dragon will answer their prayers if everyone is around the well. Otherwise, the Hydro Dragon will think they are not serious about their prayers and won't answer them.   If rain doesn't come within two days, the villagers will go back to their well and say another prayer that's more powerful than the first one. If there is no rain for another two days, then the chiefs will say it is not the right time to be planting. Some Isi will think that a villager committed a crime which cursed the land, and pray a different prayer to expose the alleged criminal.  

Kinjalo

In Kinjalo, the rain prayer is said in the family, rather than to the entire village. People pray in their fields before they start preparing the ground for planting. That way, the Hydro Dragon will know that they are ready to plant and will bless the ground with water.   If rain does not come in two or three days, then the community will come together to say some prayers to the Hydro Dragon. The location they pray in depends on the tribe. The Kinjo also go to their nearby well and pray around it. Instead of one long prayer, a few of the town's mayors will lead a small prayer session every morning. Towns with a large Adomi population have wells near the town hall, so they pray in the hall instead. The Adomi have many rain songs, and will sing as a form of prayer. They will also pull out their instruments and start playing them as well.  

Nsitonga

The people of Nsitonga don't say a rain prayer, but they will say some prayers of gratitude when the rain comes. The prayers are less serious are more like a celebration of rainfall. The Nsitani believe that singing is a way of praying, so they sing songs of praise to the Hydro Dragon. But they do this indoors to avoid attracting the attention of wild animals.