Inviting A Rain Shaman To Our Indian Wedding in Bali

My friend, Priscila, told me recently that the Rain Shaman story is her favourite part of our Indian wedding in Bali. Oh yes, while the Japanese have Teru Teru Bozu, we Indonesian have Pawang Hujan.

Rain Shaman in Indonesian Culture

Pawang Hujan, or Rain Shaman, is an Indonesian shaman believed to be able to control the weather, usually to ensure the weather will be good during festivals and events, including weddings. Rain Shaman is a unique part of Indonesian culture. Being one is considered a legit and sometimes lucrative profession in Indonesia.

So when the wedding package for my outdoor Indian wedding in Bali included Rain Shamans as one of the options, I ticked yes. When you spend so much time, effort and money on a destination wedding that you insist on being outdoor, it’s better not to risk it just because of “logic”.

A couple of days before the wedding, I spoke to the Rain Shaman. He was polite and surprisingly predicted that I wouldn’t need his service that day, even though it was raining cats and dogs when we spoke over the phone.

The morning of the wedding in Bali, it rained. Appa panicked and asked whether I had a backup plan. I told him I had the Balinese Rain Shaman on my speed dial. That seemed to calm the anxious father of the bride. However, the older generation and a young cousin also advised me to prepare the Rain Shaman, just in case. “Yep, already did”, I told them.

The Tools and The Fees

Rain shamans mainly use their minds to control the weather, some with the help of tools and chantings. From the basic ones like salt to the err.. ones like dead animals as offerings. The way they control the weather usually is delaying the rain until after a particular event is done, even when it’s the rainy season and the sky already looks gloomy—either that or diverting the rain to another area away from the event.

Their service is mainly required during Indonesia’s monsoon season, usually from September to February.

Another interesting fact about the Indonesian Rain Shamans, their fee differs. Starting from $100 onwards, based on how “powerful” their ability to control the weather from past experiences.

Thankfully, as predicted by the Rain Shaman himself, we didn’t need to hire his service in the end. The rain cleared before the ceremony started. I want to think it has more to do with my loved ones wishing us a beautiful wedding day than anything and saying that I am not above utilizing their service if I ever need one in the future.

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