Making Rain

In the film, gender issues and local politics are brought to the surface as we follow two leaders during a period of preparing for and performing the annual rainmaking rituals.

The Vumba Hills in central Mozambique, close to the Zimbabwe border, are the kingdom of Mambo (Chief) Chirara. The Mambo's leading position is acknowledged by the government, and in addition to being the region`s most important spiritual leader, the Mambo has the right to hold court cases that deal with minor crimes, problems involving spirits and domestic affairs.

In the northernmost corner of the Mambos kingdom, Mbuya Gondo, a woman in her seventies, is a spiritual medium. One of her most important sites for ceremonies is a well-known rock-painted cave. Mambo Chirara is not all that happy with the old lady. He thinks she acts too independently and demands too much money for her ceremonies.