Tying the rain or the ‘droughtmakers’: Superstition once again stirs central Mozambique

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Tying the rain or the ‘droughtmakers’: Superstition once again stirs central Mozambique

11:59 CAT | 22 Feb 2018

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Just like the never-seen ‘bloodsucker’, a character which has already caused several deaths, another phenomenon based on superstitious beliefs is now troubling police in Tete: the ‘Amarra Chuva’ (‘tying the rain’) currently stirring trouble in the centre of the country.

Acts of violence based on these beliefs have already been verified in the Changara and Marrara districts.

“Peasants in some districts of Tete and Zambézia believe that it does not rain because traders and fishermen ‘tie’ the rain to more easily carry out their activities. In the opinion of these farmers, the rain would create difficulties for traders and fishermen putting to sea.”

Police spokesman Inacio Dina says that there are already recorded cases of violence. “Citizens should distance themselves from these practices. There are even cases of bodily harm between these two groups because of these false accusations,” he says.

Dina explains that the phenomenon came to light last week, and urges all residents of the regions where it is occurring to “not be misled by these rumours, and abandon these practices, which may indeed constitute a crime, because they are creating insecurity and fear in communities”.

By Zaituna Migano

Source: O País