In Turkish and Altai mythology, there exists a magical stone known for causing rain and snowfall, called 'Yada'. This stone, extensively mentioned in Chinese sources, also finds its place in ancient Turkish, Iranian, Arab, and Jewish texts.
According to the legend, after the Deluge, Noah gave the Yada stone to his son Japheth, who was sent to the east. When Japheth arrived in Turkistan, he wondered, "Father, what shall I do in this arid land?" Noah then handed him a talismanic stone inscribed with prayers, instructing him to pray to Allah when rain was needed. Later, the Yada stone passed from Japheth to Oghuz Khan, and the Turks used it in many battles.
Chinese sources attribute the Turks' proficiency in horsemanship and warfare, along with their great successes, to the legendary Yada stone. The root of 'Yad' implies divination in the Dictionary of Turkic Dialects. 'Yada stone' is also referred to as 'cada' or 'yat' in various dialects.
Usage of the Yada Stone:
Historical accounts mention that the Yada stone was used by individuals known as 'yadacı'. These yadacıs employed various methods to use the stone, such as hanging it in high places, placing it in water, or swaying it from side to side. The process performed by yadacıs using this stone was called 'yadalamak'. Additionally, breaking the effects of the Yada stone after its use was equally challenging. In many Central Asian sources, it's noted that to nullify the effects of the Yada stone, a yadacı was found, wrapped in felt, and buried (this was a widespread practice among ancient Turks, especially inflicting death by wrapping someone in felt, especially in cases where noble blood touched the ground, as it was considered an omen of misfortune. For instance, Hulagu Khan, the Mongol ruler who conquered Baghdad, wrapped the Abbasid Caliph in felt and had him trampled by horses).
History and Sources of the Yada Stone:
The Yada stone is a mythical and talismanic stone extensively documented in numerous historical sources, particularly in Chinese records, spanning pages of texts. It is first mentioned in works from the 10th and 11th centuries. Firdawsi's Shahnameh also discusses yadacı and magic.
The Yada stone holds significant importance in Turkic epics like the Göç Destanı. It was passed down from the Huns to various Turkic tribes, as exemplified in the Oghuz Khan Epic. In Islamic sources, the Yada stone is referred to as the 'Rain stone', known as 'Seng-ı Cede' and 'Haccr-ül Matar'. Ibn al-Faqih, an Islamic historian, recounts stories told by the Emir of Khurasan, Isma'il ibn Ahmad, where he describes events involving the Yada stone.
Noted historian Ibn Fakih writes about Ismail bin Ahmed, an Emir from Khurasan, who waged war against the Turks with 20,000 soldiers, facing about a thousand armed Turks. "Some of the Turks came over to our side and warned us that the Turks were going to send a hailstorm our way. They told us that the appointed time they chose was 'Tomorrow morning'. We replied that it was beyond belief that curses could come from your hearts; a human couldn't possibly do such things. They said, 'You know best'. The next morning, dreadful clouds covered us. A tremendous hailstorm raged, and everyone was terrified."
According to Professor Fuat Köprülü's article "Rain Stone in Ancient Turks", the oldest records of the Yada stone are found in the travelogue of Abu Dulaf Mis-ar Ibn Mu-helhel, who traveled through Turkic lands between 301 and 302 Hijri years. In the same article, Fuat Köprülü also asserts that the most important second source about the Yada stone is the 'Dictionary of Turkic Dialects'.
The history of the Yada stone is documented in various sources. Another account tells of how Prophet Noah taught his son Japheth to pray for rain, and Japheth carried the Yada stone on his neck. Battles were fought among the Oghuz Turks to acquire this stone.
Furthermore, the Yada stone is mentioned during the time of Timur. It is said that special carts were built to transport the Rain-Inducing stones to Samarkand, and they were later placed on Timur's tomb.
The Yada stone also appears in the works of Ali Shir Navai.
Ziya Gökalp briefly touches upon the history of the Yada stone in his article "Religion in Ancient Turks" and points out that it is mentioned in old Turkic sources and geography books. He also narrates a story where Prophet Noah sent his son Japheth to the east and gave him the Rain stone. Gökalp emphatically states, "The tales about this stone are so strong that there is no room for doubt, and now there is also a stone of this kind among the Turks."
The Yada stone is also mentioned in Jewish traditions. However, in this version, it is not Prophet Noah but Prophet Abraham who sends his sons Samiran, Sulh, and Yaubak to the east with the Yada stone.
Abdulkadir İnan's work refers to the Yada stone mentioned in Chinese sources. According to Tang Dynasty records, in an account of events from the year 949, it is stated that the Yueban people, using the expertise of Yadacıs, conjured rain and storms against the Khazars who attacked them.
Western sources also mention the Yada stone. Randolf, who conducted significant research on the Turks, notes that in 1861, while he was near the Altai River, the Yada stone was used by his guide to escape a severe rainstorm.
In conclusion, the Yada stone has been extensively discussed in numerous sources, and its mystical and magical properties have never been contradicted. The Yada stone motif is often described as veined and green. Additionally, it is said to be an animal-like stone, emitting sounds from within. According to Chinese sources, the Yada stone emerged from a duck in Iran, while other Chinese records claim it came from a red bird (Sürhab). In Turkish sources, it is said to have been extracted from the belly of a female wolf.
Summarizing the sources where the Yada stone is mentioned, it is a talismanic stone endowed to the Turks by Noah's son Japheth, and it was frequently used by pre-Islamic Turks. In the narratives of various tribes who interacted with and fought against the Turks, the Yada stone is described as a mystical and magical rain stone. The last historical mention of the Yada stone is in the Ottoman-Russian wars between 1768 and 1774. According to these accounts, during the Battle of Hotin, which marked the first major defeat of the Ottoman army, the Yada stone was used by the Russians. It is stated that among the Russian army were Kalmyk Turks, who were Christian and shamanic, and who possessed adequate knowledge of using the Yada stone.
During the Russo-Ottoman War, severe floods and storms occurred, contributing to the Ottoman forces' defeat. In 1770, Serdar-ı Ekrem Halil Pasha sent a letter to the Sultan, stating that the Danube River was more turbulent than ever before.
Historically, the Yada stone is also referred to as the 'Rain stone'. However, with the introduction of Islam to the Turks, practices involving Yada stone were gradually abandoned due to the perception of yadalamak as a form of sorcery, and the misfortunes that befell yadacıs.
In modern times, there are still rumors in Central Asia that the Yada stone persists. The motif of the Yada stone has become a part of popular culture, with products like Yada stone prayer beads gaining popularity. Some individuals are engaged in activities related to purchasing Yada stones and inquiring about where to buy them. There are claims that the Yada stone is still utilized by certain shamans today.
In summary, the Yada stone is a legendary and talismanic stone deeply rooted in the mythology and history of the Turkic peoples. Its significance is highlighted in various historical accounts, emphasizing its role in invoking rain and storms. While its use declined with the spread of Islam, the Yada stone remains a fascinating symbol in Turkic culture, with rumors of its continued existence in modern times.
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