There are many strange creatures that inhabit the spirit world, and which are depicted in the rock art. One of the most fearsome is a rain-animal.
In times of drought, a ritual specialist must enter into a trance and then visit the spirit world by travelling through a waterhole, where they must lure the ferocious rain-animal out. Sometimes buchu – an aromatic herb – is used to soothe the rain-animal, making it easier to capture the creature.
Once caught, the animal is guided into the real world, where it is taken to the place where rain is needed. It is then either killed or wounded and its blood and milk fall as rain.
RARI-LEE-RSA-FLO3-23