Tasattyk tradition - an ancient rite of rainmaking among the Kazakhs during a drought
A ritual rite performed only during drought, characteristic of peoples of Kazakh and Turkic origin. The exact origin is unknown. Tasattyk is heldat the period of long lasting drought and grass does not grow. People pray for rain through sacrifice сattleand perform other rituals.
To carry out tasattyk in hot, dry weather, people gathered at the nearest fairly large reservoir - usually a river or lakeand performed a sacrifice by slaughtering an animal, most often a ram, and then all prayed together that the higher powers would send rain on the lands suffering from lack of moisture. Baksy – shaman, read prayer, complementing the ritual with actions with the skull of a horse. The blood of the sacrificed animal had to be buried or drained into a reservoir. Sometimes the participants of the ceremony poured water on each other. These details depend on the region. After the ceremony, it was customary to arrange a feast at which the guests were treated to the meat of the sacrificed animal.
Later, shaman’s place was taken by a mullah who recited prayers from the Koran and sacrifices became less frequent. The rest of those present also pray for the spirits of their ancestors and ask for their blessings.
