A Doll made of a Shovel in the Ritual of Causing Rain among the Peoples of the North-West Caucasus

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze one of the variants of the rain-making rite among the peoples of the North-West Caucasus, in which the main character is a doll made of a wooden winnowing shovel Methods: the main method of research was a qualitative methodology that aims to determine the causality of actions of participants of the rite. The method of collecting empirical material was interviewing (unstructured interview, observation) and conversations that provide reliable material on the ritual of causing rain among the peoples of the North-West Caucasus.
Results: the rain-making rite was important for all the peoples of the North-West Caucasus. It was conducted by both pastoral and agricultural communities. This rite has a variety of variations. In one of the variants of the rite, the main character is a
doll made of a wooden shovel. Women, girls and children take part in this version of the rite. After the doll is dipped in the river, everyone returns to the center of the village together and arranges a sacrifice. It all ends with the fun of the young. Even older women take part in the dance.
Discussion: the ritual of causing rain in which the main character is a doll made of a wooden shovel is preserved to this day.
Nevertheless, at the present stage, community solidarity is more widespread in the performance of this version of the rite. The composition of the participants has not changed either. As in the past, it is now held by women, girls and children. The rite is dedicated to the lady of the water element. As evidenced by the songs that are sung during the ceremony.