CHALAB VILLAGE, Ilam Province -- In the remote highlands of Ilam province, the people of Chalab village gather in an ancient ritual that transcends time and drought. 
When the skies dry and the earth cracks, the community comes together to perform the Rain-Seeking Ceremony—a vibrant blend of prayer, tradition, and performance that honors their deep connection to nature.
Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Iran since 2009, this ceremony embodies the hopes and beliefs of the Shoohan tribe. It unfolds through a series of symbolic acts, each carrying profound meaning rooted in centuries-old customs.
One of the ceremony’s most enchanting moments is the fatir bread ritual. Women bake local flatbreads and hide a small blue bead inside one of them. As the bread is shared among village children, laughter and excitement fill the air, until an elder calls the youngsters to pause their play and join in a heartfelt prayer for rain.
Another striking tradition is the “Gav Robai” or symbolic cattle raid. Groups of women journey to neighboring villages to ‘steal’ cows in a playful yet competitive display. The staged confrontations are punctuated by prayers and chants, illustrating the community’s earnest appeal to the skies.
The rhythmic game of “Pelan” is a test of skill and strength, where two teams throw stones to topple a standing rock. This ancient contest not only entertains but serves as a metaphor for overcoming hardship—an expression of resilience amid environmental challenges.
The ceremony also includes the spirited “Hel Heloonaki” chant, the solemn sacrifice of a sheep whose meat is shared among the needy, and the symbolic gift of water carried by the poorest villagers from door to door. Each act reflects the community’s intertwined relationship with nature, faith, and social solidarity.
Girls craft rain dolls from fabric and adornments, young men beat their sticks against tent poles, and rams locked in combat symbolize fertility and renewal. These rituals form a living mosaic—dynamic, powerful, and essential.
As climate change threatens traditional lifeways worldwide, the people of Chalab continue to uphold this ceremony—not merely as a cultural relic but as a vital expression of hope and harmony with the environment.