Umm Al-Ghaith
Rainfall or Ascites (Umm Al-Ghaith) in Jordanian Heritage
The ritual of “Umm Al-Ghaith” is one of the most prominent faith rituals enacted by Jordanians to drop and wait for rain from the sky; it is a moral character symbolizing rain and Ghaith, so they sing to her for rain. People in Jordan believe that Umm Al Ghaith is a spiritual creature, can bring rain and goodness to them. Therefore, they sing for her asking for rain
Umm Al-Ghaith, a ritual of ascites practiced by Jordanians, as practiced by neighboring peoples with differences here and there, the weather begins when the rain is prolonged, and people prepare in each village or area. women prepare the body “Umm Al-Ghaith” consisting of wood and a large wooden spoon installed instead of the head, and cover it with a head cover.
They used to wear their worst clothes and to knock the water pots. They tried to produce sounds to express their bad need for water. They take their goats and sheep and try to make them participate in the event by bleating. Children also participate by crying. So that, Umm Al Ghaith sympathizes and sends them rain.
These ceremonies are practiced in most of rural, Bedouin and urban areas of Jordan. In some places, people walk for a long time until they reach a holy shrine like Al Kheder in As Salt, Mahes, or Al Karak or the shrine of Abu Al Darda’ in the village of Soum /Irbid.
Umm Al Ghaith may be a toy in the form of a structure made in the time of the lack of rain in which Children carry it and sing. They ride a cart and walk around the houses where they are given some rice and wheat and other supplies. Women gather to cook some food to be given to the people outside