Traditions transfer a culture of a society from one generation to another. Traditions that are carriers of collective memory are getting affected by the changes of societies and take new sizes and shapes. Rain prayer is the most common and interesting one among these traditions. A religious influence might be considered in practice, whereas several sub-meanings emerge when pre-prayer and post-prayer stages are examined in detail. Rain prayer might take different practice styles and structures according to the structure of societies and regions where they live. The result we would like to reach with this study conducted in the region of İzmir- Dikili is to determine the way rain prayer is practiced, to identify differences and common points of rain prayers in different regions of Turkey, and to uncover cultural codes in meaning sets that are embedded in practice. This is because rain prayer carries deeper meanings than its functional structure. Taking sub-meanings of this practice that is being shaped around a religious discourse into consideration, patterns from different belief structures are being observed.

Two types of rain prayer in Dikili region are identified in this study. First one is made by stone-reading, and the second one is made only by charity-meal prayer. Non-Islamic elements were observed and practices that were supported by religious discourses were identified in the ceremony.

This study is based on the research in the villages of Dikili. Moreover, audial and visual recording information that were gathered through participant observation from the rain prayer in Yahsibey Village in September 2016 were used. The technique of in-depth interviews and oral history method were used in the research. The information gathered was evaluated with interpretive paradigm.