Balinese Myths and Superstitions around Rain
A rice farmer being threatened by lightning. Ida Bagus Ketut Togog, Batuan (c. 1940), China ink on paper, 17.5 x 23 cm. Basle, llc 16680 (E. Schlager Beguest, 1971).
Many myths and superstitions emerges around rain and its accompanying phenomena e.g. cloud, lightning and thunder. Some myths and superstitions also invited by Balinese around rain and lightning; here are some of them:
When light rain falls during a religious ceremony, it indicates a good luck and God is pleased with the ceremony.
When rain falls in broad daylight without any significant cloud in the sky, it indicates a wedding ceremony of supernatural beings takes place.
Why lightning strike different places? Lightning is destined to chase a stone called manik until he succeeds in striking that stone. Unfortunately manik is always moving around, hiding in every nooks he can found; lightning strikes the place where manik is hiding.
To avoid lightning strike during the rain, throw a metal on the yard (preferably a knife, the bigger the better), so the lightning will strike the metal object instead of building or human.