Sentence:  As in many other parts of Africa, the <WSD>rainmaker</WSD> is a personage of great importance, whose powers of calling down rain whenever it is wanted are universally believed by the people, and his services are always eagerly sought when a fire happens in their very combustible houses. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  An African or Native American medicine man who seeks to induce rain through performing rituals.