Belief
It is believed that water especially rivers and springs’ water have owners so if one goes to the river at night they will be haunted by evil spirits. The owner of the water wears white clothes and is so tall that one can see the sky between his legs. If one goes to the river at night, they should chant this: “Hey owner of water/ I’ll take this water for humans”.
The water wasted from the ablution before prayers are sacred.
If the water is kept for a night and not poured back into the river, it will complain to God.
They used to pour water into water skin at night because they believed it would help the skin stay in a better shape.
Water that is as deep as two to three inches is considered to be clean for consumption.
Anyone who dies in the water (drowned) is considered a martyr.
There is a sacred place in a village called Khorasanah in the Mukeryan region named Baba Qatar. There is a spring at the mountain near Baba Qatar which is believed to have healing powers to cure pneumonia. It is also believed that if anyone drinks from this water they will never be stung by snakes.
If one has a bad dream or nightmare, it is believed that if you narrate the nightmare over some water it will not come true.
It is Haram to kill the swallow bird because it was the swallow who took water into the fire that surrounded Abraham the prophet when Nemrud ordered to burn him alive.
When a baby is forty days old, they should pour forty cups of water on their body.
They wash infants with cold water so the baby would be strong.
Water being used as medicine
There is a special type of water that has turned red (like cherry juice) that can be purified and used to wash the eyes with it.
When the grasshoppers attacked the farms, farmers would bring some water from Haji Mammian Spring and pour it around their farms. The starlings would fly down to drink the water and they would see the grasshoppers and they would eat those insects.
If the ear was filled with water, they would put a stone on the ear to evacuate the water out.
Dreams
Dreaming of water is a good sign as long as it is clear water; if it is muddy water, it is a bad sign.
Game
Playing in rivers or playing with water was common among children.
Riddles
If it drinks water, it’ll die.
The answer: “Fire”
On this side there is soil, on the other side there is soil, in the middle, it is cool.
The answer: “Clay goblets”
It travels day and night and it never sleeps.
The answer: “Water”
There is a fire in the Tanour (a hole in the ground made with clay to bake bread in it). There is a bowl under the fire/ there is a snake in the water.
The answer: “Lantern”
The mosque is made of skin, the alter is made of water. If you can guess it, you are wise.
The answer: “Fish”
Epigrams
It is better to get drowned in the water rather than use a spineless person’s bridge
Meaning: Do not ask for a cowardly person’s help in any situation.
When the water streams down, search for its source.
Meaning: When you start to get acquainted to someone, first try to know them.
Follow a water stream that leads you to a village or town.
Meaning: If there is water in a place, there will be a village or town near it.
When you drink water from a spring or river, do not throw stones in it.
Meaning: When someone helps you out, try to be nice to them rather than being ungrateful.
When you drink water in a river, at least drop a little stone in it.
Meaning: If someone helped you out, try to do something nice for them even if it is a small favor.
Proverbs:
Water means people. (There are people where there is water)
If some water stays in a place for too long it will go rotten.
Meaning: this proverb is used for girls or boys who do not get married young or when guests stay somewhere for too long.
Water passes through its own canals.
Meaning: Everything will go back to its original roots.
Water passes through villages or towns.
Meaning: This proverb is used for someone who drinks a lot of water i.e. if the person is full they can drink a lot of water.
Water cannot go up the high hills.
Meaning: It is used to talk about an abnormal situation.
Water will not grow more without rain.
Meaning: You should save money to have capital.
The water passes away; the stones will stay.
Meaning: The good will stay and the bad will fade away.
To be continued…
Source: The oral dictionary of Mukriyan, Salah Payaniyani
