Since ancient times, Socotra has maintained traditions and customs, many of which persist in its rural areas. These customs play a vital role in the lives of the island’s inhabitants, who are closely tied to nature and its changes. Life on the island thrives when rain falls, bringing prosperity and abundance. The earth blossoms, water springs flow, and blessings spread across all aspects of life. This abundance allows herders to settle, plan weddings, and perform circumcisions for boys who have reached the appropriate age.
However, when rain is delayed, drought sets in, livestock weaken, and herders are forced to migrate in search of pasture and water. These migrations can last a week or more, with herders and their families continuously relocating. Such movements can lead to significant life changes—for instance, the death of a family head or marriage to someone met along the journey.
Rain has always held a unique significance in Socotra. The islanders’ lives are deeply connected to the sound of raindrops and the buzzing of drizzle over the hills, valleys, and towering mountains. This connection has given rise to cultural practices that remain alive in certain parts of the archipelago to this day.
One such tradition is Fiyosa, a ritual prayer asking God for rain and mercy. It is performed twice a year using sheep. The first instance occurs at the end of the Kharif season in early October. During this season, rain is sparse, limited mostly to drizzle over the mountains. Each family head brings a sheep to a designated gathering spot where the Fiyosa ritual takes place.
The ritual leader, often the tribal elder or a wise figure, performs the ceremony. He sits cross-legged, holds one of the sheep’s horns in one hand, and strokes its body with the other while praying. The gathered crowd loudly chants “Ameen” in unison after each prayer. If rain still doesn’t come after Fiyosa, a similar ritual called Shaghfara is conducted, this time seeking forgiveness from God.
The second instance of Fiyosa occurs between March and May, known locally as Date. The ritual follows the same procedures. Additionally, the Socotri people have developed a system of signs, called Mahjar, to predict rain or drought. These signs vary by region and include observations such as the proliferation of black crows, an increase in predatory cats attacking sheep, or the absence of clouds—all of which are viewed as ominous. These signs cause anxiety, especially among children and the elderly, as they often signal impending migration and separation that could last years.
The origins of Fiyosa and Shaghfara are unclear, but they appear to predate Islam on the island. Archaeological findings reveal evidence of ancient religions in Socotra, influenced by migrations from India, Africa, and the kingdoms of southern Arabia. With the spread of Wahhabism in Yemen following unification, some religious authorities issued fatwas condemning Fiyosa as un-Islamic. However, the majority of Socotrans rejected these rulings, as they had witnessed the effectiveness of these rituals in bringing rain and alleviating drought.
Socotrans often share a short poetic verse that reflects their resilience during times of drought:
“The one destined to die will die, and the one destined to be killed will be killed. But it is shameful for drought to take the lives of livestock.”
This verse is recited during times of hardship, as people migrate and their lands are left barren and desolate.
Signs of impending rain are also part of Socotra’s cultural fabric. Optimism among herders, the non-drying of water sources, and the movement of clouds from specific directions in different seasons are all considered indicators of rainfall. Lightning and a distinct light breeze are also seen as harbingers of rain.
Rain not only brings life but also memories of devastating floods, such as the infamous Wednesday Flood, which followed a four-year drought. This flood claimed many lives and livestock, leaving a lasting mark on the island’s collective memory. Yet, in times of continuous rain and prosperity, herders return home, settle down, and experience a period of abundance known as Anfijah. This leads to increased livestock, abundant milk, and widespread blessings. Celebrations resume, and people focus on circumcising boys, marrying those of age, and enjoying communal joy.
However, if misconduct angers God and rain ceases, tribal elders quickly organize another Fiyosa to seek forgiveness, ensuring the community’s harmony with the divine.