There were no temple services in which congregants gathered for weekly worship, but the many festivals held throughout the year provided opportunity for expressing one's devotion publicly. Free PDF. Statuary representing the goddess always emphasizes the left side in one way or another. He leaves Ninsar for Ninkurra whom he seduces, and she gives birth to a daughter named Uttu ('The Weaver of Patterns and Life Desires'). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. It says: “Wisdom built herself a house on a rock and from this rock flow the waters of life”. Ninkurra, in turn, bore Enki a daughter named Uttu. She is the daughter of Nammu, the Goddess of the Primeval Sea, in whose womb She was conceived together with An, the Skyfather. Uttu, on her ancestress Ninhursag's advice buried Enki's seed in the earth, whereupon eight plants (the very first) sprung up. He cannot support himself. Imdugud Copper Frieze from the Ninhursag Temple, by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin (CC BY-NC-SA), by The Trustees of the British Museum (Copyright). The lion did not slay, the wolf was not carrying off lambs, the dog had not been taught to make kids curl up, the pig had not learned that grain was to be eaten. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. Uttu and Enki are happy together for a while, but just as with Ninsar and Ninkurra, Enki falls out of love with her once he realizes she is not Ninhursag and leaves her, returning to his work on earth. In some myths, presumed to be earlier works, she is the consort of Anu and co-creator of the world. Mark, J. J. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. The influence of this metropolitan city in the delta of the Euphrates and the Tigris ranged from the cities in western India to the upper reaches of those rivers in Anatolia. All publications deal with aspects of Near Eastern civilization in its broader sense. Enki's Adult services are aimed at promoting recovery and stability for community living, helping the client to achieve higher levels of functioning, enhancing the quality of life and encouraging a return to work, school, volunteering, or other meaningful activity. Kramer notes how "the early Sumerian rulers liked to describe themselves as 'constantly nourished by Ninhursag with milk.' Enki and Ninmah sit drinking beer together and eventually become quite drunk. Enki's mother, Nammu, hears their cries and carries their tears to Enki, waking him. Ninhursag experienced this same decline as the other goddesses, and by the time of the fall of the Assyrian Empire in 612 BCE, she was no longer worshiped. Enki, god of wisdom, magic, and fresh water, finds her there and falls deeply in love with her. The cosmogenic myth common in Sumer was that of the hieros gamos, a sacred marriage where divine principles in the form of dualistic opposites came together as male and female to give birth to the cosmos. 2010. Upset about Enki's reputation [gossips already being a pain in those ancient days], Uttu consults Ninhursag, who, upset at the promiscuous nature of her spouse advises Uttu to avoid the riverbanks. Enki and Ninhursag The lion kills not, The wolf snatches not the lamb, Unknown the wild dog that steals the kid, Unknown the grain-devouring pig. So far only the first part of this trilogy has appeared in print. The immensely popular goddess Inanna/Ishtar would become secondary to male gods like the Assyrian Assur, and the powerful goddess Ereshkigal, who ruled the underworld, would be given a male consort (Nergal) to reign with her. Enki, god of wisdom, magic, and fresh water, finds her there and falls deeply in love with her. In ancient Mesopotamia, as elsewhere, the left side was considered feminine and "dark" while the right side was masculine and "light" (a concept familiar to anyone in the modern day acquainted with Reiki). He seduces her, and she becomes pregnant with a daughter Ninkurra (goddess of mountain pastures). Ninhursag was worshiped at the city of Adab and was also associated with Kesh (as one of her names, Belet-ili of Kesh, confirms), not Kish, as is often incorrectly cited. Through Enki, Ninsar bore a daughter Ninkurra ("Lady of the Pasture"). 11-16. He is famously depicted in the works concerning Ninhursag (Ninmah) such as Enki and Ninhursag and Enki and Ninmah both of which concern the creation of the world and humanity. Uttu is distraught and calls upon Ninhursag for help, explaining what has happened. Ninhursag returns and is enraged that Enki has eaten all of the plants. Enki, without knowing that Ninsar was his daughter, seduces Ninsar and has a daughter with her called Nikturra. 24 Dec 2020. A diachronic map of Sumer and Akkad in the alluvial plains of Mesopotamia. Contacts earth to say that any children on Adam and even cannot be kept as slaves. El poema de Enki y Ninhursag. She was often invoked by mothers as she was thought to form and care for the child in the womb and provide food after he or she was born. PDF. Through Enki, Ninsar bore a daughter Ninkurra. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Ninhursag rushes to Enki's side, draws him to her, and places his head against her vagina. PDF. In all the myths concerning her, Ninhursag is associated with life and power, but Enki comes to rival and, finally, dominate her. At this point, Enki returns along with his vizier Isimud. The myth represents Ninhursag as all-powerful in that she is able to inflict death on one of the most potent gods and is also the only one who can heal him. Enki then pursued Uttu, who was upset because he didn't care for her. Enki distributed his semen destined for Damgalnuna (Ninhursag). …the birth goddess called variously Ninhursag, Nintur, and Ninmah. Enki and Ninhursag has also been cited, however, as the basis for the biblical story of creation found in Genesis. Last modified January 26, 2017. The Atrahasis also gives Enki as the creator of humans who devises them as a means to relieve the gods of the burden of work. Amorously seeking his wife, Enki happened across Ninsar instead, and, stricken by her resemblance to Ninhursag, seduced her. Ninhursag rejoiced in Enki's mighty prowess and said to him: ' Beloved, the powerful touch of your sweet waters, the essence of Mother Nammu that lies deep within you, transformed the land, my stony body. She was primarily seen as the protector of women and children, who presided over conception, gestation, and birth but also held a position of high honor among the gods. Web. Mark, published on 26 January 2017 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. He and Ninhursag had a daughter called Ninsar, who grew to be a woman in only nine days. In the example Wallis Budge gives, it is a child at the left breast, but the symbolism could also be an uncovered left breast, raised left arm, or some other detail. The second volume – ‘Toen kwam de vloed’ (Dutch) – is centred on the question whether the rather abrupt end of Uruk as the main commercial centre of Mesopotamia about 3000 BCE relates to the effects of the Great Flood discovered by the well-known archaeologist Leonard Woolley and described in several Near Eastern stories including ‘Genesis’, the first book of the Bible. There are a number of Mesopotamian stories, legends, prayers and royal inscriptions in which Enki plays a major role. Ninhursag as the Great Mother presided over all, commoner and king alike. Enki and Ninhursag elevate humans of Anunnaki parentage to rule in Shuruppak. Cursed by Ninhursag, and apparently sick unto death from his meal, Enki the Trickster sits or lies immobile, as do the other gods too, the Annunaki, who all sit in the dust (220). He creates a man afflicted in every area of his body and hands it to Ninmah. Download Free PDF. Realizing that the passage of Nibiru in Earth's proximity will trigger an immense tidal wave, Enlil makes the Anunnaki swear to keep … In Sumerian literature, therefore, "the Lady of the rib" came to be identified with "the Lady who makes live" through what may be termed a play on words. Her influence is considered significant, however, in the development of later goddesses as she has been associated with Hathor and Isis of Egypt, Gaia of Greece, and Cybele of Anatolia, the later Magna Mater of Rome, who would contribute to the development of the figure of the Virgin Mary. Orientalist Samuel Noah Kramer writes: Perhaps the most interesting result of our comparative analysis of the Sumerian poem is the explanation which it provides for one of the most puzzling motifs in the biblical paradise story, the famous passage describing the fashioning of Eve, "the mother of all living", from the rib of Adam - for why a rib? Another of her early names, Ki or Kishar, identifies her as 'mother earth.' Please help us create teaching materials on Mesopotamia (including several complete lessons with worksheets, activities, answers, essay questions, and more), which will be free to download for teachers all over the world. Enki looked at the one with neither penis nor vagina on its body and give it the name " Nibru eunuch (? In this way, eight of the deities most favorable to humanity are born: Enki is healed and repents for his carelessness in eating the plants and thoughtlessness in seducing the girls. ‘Enki and Ninhursag’ is perhaps one of the most difficult Mesopotamian myth for Judeo-Christian Westerners to understand, because it stands as the opposite of the myth of Adam and Eve in Paradise found in the Old Testament Bible. If it could be authoritatively determined that the story of Enki and Ninmah dated from this time, then the myth would correspond to the overall decline in stature and equality goddesses (and women) were then experiencing. Ninmah makes a man whose hands are weak and Enki improves his life by making him a servant to a king because he would not be able to steal. She first appears in written works during the Early Dynastic Period I (c. 2900-2800 BCE), but physical evidence suggests worship of the Mother Goddess figure dating back to at least 4500 BCE, during the Ubaid Period, before the Sumerians had come to the region of southern Mesopotamia. Her children are Marduk, Ashnan, Lahar, Ninsar and Ningal. She is the sister of Enlil and husband of Enki. (Reading Sumerian Poetry, 23). Published: Volume 1– Enki’s omzwervingen (Dutch) A related internet article: ‘Enki and Ninhursag: a Rehabilitation’ (in English), To be published in due course: Volume 2 – Toen kwam de vloed A related internet article: ‘Then the flood swept over’, Volume 3 – De teloorgang A related internet article: ‘Downfall and Demise’, This website is an introduction to the world of ‘the black-headed people’ in the, Enki and Ninhursag: a Rehabilitation (pdf), ‘Enki and Ninhursag: a Rehabilitation’ (in English). Uttu, on her ancestress Ninhursag's advice buried Enki's seed in the earth, whereupon eight plants (the very first) sprung up. This head is part of a copper alloy bull in the round. It was this, one of the most ancient of literary puns, which was carried over and perpetuated in the biblical paradise story, although there, of course, the pun loses its validity, since the Hebrew words for "rib" and "who makes live" have nothing in common. In their first literary traditions the Sumerians refer to themselves as the ‘black-headed people’. The reason becomes quite clear if we assume a Sumerian literary background, such as that represented by our Dilmun poem, to underly the biblical paradise tale; for in our Sumerian poem, one of Enki's sick organs is the rib. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. Ninkurra, in turn, bore Enki a daughter named Uttu. Wallis Budge notes how she "created the gods and sucked kings and terracotta figures of her represent her suckling a child at her left breast" (84). A similar question will be answered with reference to the demise of the Ur III Regime, dominated by the Sumerians from ca. This same pattern goes on with Ninmah giving Enki greater and greater challenges, which he meets. 2100 until 2200 BCE. She was regarded as the mother of all living things, the mother-goddess pre-eminent" (122). Enki accepts Medi-Cal, MediCare, and Healthy Families. According to Sumerian mythology, Enki also assisted humanity to survive the Deluge designed to kill them. Enki and Ninhursanga: translation 1-4 Pure are the cities -- and you are the ones to whom they are allotted. Pure is Sumer -- and you are the ones to whom it is allotted. A daughter named Ninkurra was born from their union. Enki misses Ninhursag terribly and, one day, sees Ninsar walking by the marshes and believes her to be the incarnation of Ninhursag. In still others, she is identified with Kishar (also known as Ki), mother earth. She and Anu awoke to life in each other´s arms within the embrace Nammu the Sea (Creation Ninmah challenges Enki to a contest of sorts saying how the humans' bodies - Enki's design - may be either good or bad but their fates will be good or bad depending entirely on her will. When spring comes, Ninhursag must return to her duties of nurturing living things on earth and leaves Dilmun, but Enki and Ninsar remain. The practice of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand originated in Rome to ward off evil powers associated with the left. Although in this myth the goddess loses stature, she was still regarded as a powerful deity one could turn to in times of trouble and rely on for protection and guidance. Related Content In her most prominent myth, she is the consort of the god Enki and has a daughter with him called Ninsar and leaves him. He successively sends drought, famine and plague to eliminate h… Enki accepts her challenge saying, "Whatever fate you decide, good or bad, I will improve it.". PDF. Although one may be tempted to locate this tale prior to Enki and Ninhursag, because she is known by her earlier name in this story, any such claims are untenable. After a particularly langorous tryst, it happened that Ninhursag gave birth to a baby girl named Ninsar before departing to work on the earth, ensuring fertility and health among the people. Kramer notes how Ninhursag is listed last of the four creating deities, but how "in an earlier day this goddess was probably of even higher rank and her name often preceded that of Enki when the four gods were listed together" (122). Ninhursag is one of the four creating deities in Sumerian religious belief (along with Anu, Enlil, and Enki) and is frequently mentioned in many of the most important Mesopotamian myths. Ancient History Encyclopedia. In iconography she is represented by a sign resembling the Greek symbol Omega often accompanied by a knife; this is thought to represent the uterus and the blade used to cut the umbilical cord thus symbolizing Ninhursag's role as mother goddess. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 26 Jan 2017. Ninmah is frustrated and throws her next lump of clay to the ground, but Enki picks it up and resumes the game, telling her how he will now fashion a creature and she must improve its fate as he has done. Pure is Dilmun land. Enki impregnates the goddess Ninhursag " the mother of ' the land '," who after nine days of pregnancy gives birth, without pain or effort, to the goddess Ninmu 1:-'R (lines 73-88). Uttu does as she is told, and nine days later, eight new plants grow from the earth. "Ninhursag." Peeter Espak. Create a free account to download. The Sumerian myth Enki and Ninhursag tells the story of the beginning of the world in the garden of paradise known as Dilmun. It is possible that the story comes from the later period in Mesopotamian history, however, and given the loss in stature of the goddess in the myth, a later date is most likely. The project is called ‘The Rise and Fall of the Black-headed people’. Ninhursag knew how charming Enki could be, but no matter what, young Uttu the Weaver should be advised to avoid the riverbanks, or the places where Enki and herself could be found alone or unchaperoned: ' Daughter Uttu, beware of the marshes and the riverbanks, where Enki, the Sweet Waters god, reigns as Sovereign. The myth of Enki and Ninhursag is a true Sumerian myth (as opposed to the Enuma Elish which was only founded on Sumerian tradition). A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Cite This Work License. Ancient History Encyclopedia. This idea based on the Sumerian myth known as Enki and Ninhursag (see ANET, pp. Now the Sumerian word for "rib" is ti (pronounced tee); the goddess created for the healing of Enki's rib was therefore called in Sumerian Nin-ti "the Lady of the rib". Mark, Joshua J. Her husband/consort was Sul-pa-e, a minor god associated with the underworld, with whom she had three children (Asgi, Lisin, and Lil). Ninhursag blesses the child with abundant growth, and she matures into a woman in nine days. Enki and Ninhursag had four children: Marduk, Enbilulu, Asarluhi and the sage Adapa.Enki, who was also the god of semen, had numerous incestuous affairs, which he ascribed to his insatiable love for his wife. In time, the left side associated with the goddess concept would be connected with darkness and evil as can be seen in the word 'sinister,' which originally was Latin for 'left' but came to signify 'threatening,' 'evil,' and similar concepts long before the word appears with such connotations in Late Middle English (c. 1375-1425 CE). Enki then pursued Uttu, who was upset because he didn't care for her. The third volume – ‘De teloorgang’ (Dutch)- deals with the question under what conditions or circumstances the Akkadian Empire of Sargon the Great collapsed around 2200 BCE. Kramer, however, did give credence to it, as mentioned by the blogger to whom you linked (see Kramer's History Begins at Sumer, pp. La diosa Ninsikila (patrona del paraíso mítico de Dilmún) le pide a Enki que proporcione aguas dulces a Dilmún, pues esta tierra era un desierto inhabitable.Según el texto de arcilla encontrado en Ur lll de la época paleo-babilónica, Ninsikila no estaba conforme con el territorio que le otorgó su padre Enki, un lugar desolado y estéril. She then makes a man and blinds him, but Enki improves his life by giving him the gift of music and making him minstrel to the king. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. In the second millennium BCE, as noted, feminine deities experienced a loss in status as the male gods of the Amorites of Babylon under Hammurabi took precedence. The names of the goddess changed from story to story and are no aid in dating a particular text, save, perhaps, in those identifying Ninhursag as the earlier Damgalnuna. Father Enki, your praise is sweet!". She turns on him the eye of death, curses him, and departs from paradise and the world. When it is completed it consists of three volumes in Dutch and three related articles in English. Ninkurra also develops into a young woman in nine days, and Enki again believes he sees his beloved Ninhursag in the girl. This paper. Passing by the plants, Enki stops to ask what they are, and Isimud plucks from the first and hands it to Enki, who eats it. Ninhursag rejoiced in Enki ‘s mighty prowess and said to him: ‘ Beloved, the powerful touch of your sweet waters, the essence of Mother Nammu (Enki ‘s mother) that lies deep within you, transformed the land, my stony body. Enki, seeing the plants, ate them, and became ill in eight organs of his body. This website is an introduction to the world of ‘the black-headed people’ in the Ancient Near East, the cradle of classic and western civilization. Anu sees Adam and Evening are Enkis children. Please note that this site is in progress. (149). Enki then pursued Uttu, who was upset because he didn't care for her. In the myth of “Enki and Ninmah” recounted above, Enki had humans sired by the “engendering clay of the Apsu”—i.e., of the waters underground—and borne by Nammu. The story opens with the younger gods weary from all their endless toil. Ninhursag (also Ninhursaga) is the Sumerian Mother Goddess and one of the oldest and most important in the Mesopotamian Pantheon. Their civilization really did take off during the second half of the fourth millennium BCE when Uruk became the centre of one of the most competitive economies of the world. Enki is annoyed with the request but consents to his mother's wishes that he create beings who will ease the gods' burden. But the Sumerian word ti also means "to make live" as well as "the Lady of the rib". The Sumerians: Their History, Culture, and Character, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, Ninsitu - goddess of healing and consort of Ninazu, Azimua - goddess of healing and wife of Ningishida of the underworld, Ninti - 'the Lady of the rib,' who gives life. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Enki becomes sick and is dying, and all the other gods mourn, but no one can heal him except for Ninhursag, and she cannot be found. He asks her to work with Ninmah and other fertility goddesses to create human beings and give them life. Enki, seeing the plants, ate them, and became ill in eight organs of his body. Scholar E.A. In the epic Enki and Ninhursag, Enki, as lord of Ab or fresh water (also the Sumerian word for semen), is living with his wife in the paradise of Dilmun where Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. plots Mankind's demise. She is also known as Nintud/Nintur ('Queen of the Birthing Hut') and, to the Akkadians, as Belet-ili ('Queen of the Gods'). In this myth, when the great flood is released on the world by Enlil and humanity is destroyed, all the gods mourn but Ninhursag is specifically mentioned crying for the death of her children. Ninhursag had many different names given in various myths according to her particular role or the theme of the story. Enki sends Adam to Nibiru with his son Ningishzhadda to be seen by Anu, and gives secret info only Anu must see. Encyclopedia logo is a non-profit organization registered in the girl human beings and them. 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