Sumerian Gods: February/March

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Since the Sumerian year starts at the Spring Equinox, the period starting from the Winter Solstice could contain from three to four months. The lunar months of the calendars of the cities have to fit within the solar year of equinoxes. The fourth month (intercalary) was usually inserted by a decree from the King, and was called “Diri(-sekigku).” (This would be the thirteen moon of a year.)

 

In Sumer, the twelfth month was called “Sekigku,” (The Month of Grain Reaping). This was the time of the barley harvest, which happened everywhere in Mesopotamia. The Festival of Barley Consumption started mid-month and ended at the full moon. The Grain Goddess (Note 1), Ashnan was given offerings (Note 2), and the Beer Goddess, Ninkasi (Note 3) was praised. Modern Sumerian Polytheists will celebrate with bread and beer, giving thanks for both Goddesses.

 

Source: Mark Cohen, “Festivals and Calendars of the Ancient Near East.”

 

Notes:

Note 1. A barley stalk is the symbol of the Grain Goddesses.

Note 2. A Hymn to Ashnan

“Ashnan, like a beautiful maiden appears;

She lets the crop for the great festival of Enlil come up heavenward.”

 

Note 3. Ninkasi means “Mistress of Beer.”

Hymn to Ninkasi

(The translation is by Miguel Civil (Noted language expert))

 

Note that it tells how to make both barley bread (bappir) and barley beer.

 

Borne of the flowing water,

Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,

Borne of the flowing water,

Tenderly cared for by the Ninhursag,

 

Having founded your town by the sacred lake,

She finished its great walls for you,

Ninkasi, having founded your town by the sacred lake,

She finished its walls for you,

 

Your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,

Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.

Ninkasi, your father is Enki, Lord Nidimmud,

Your mother is Ninti, the queen of the sacred lake.

 

You are the one who handles the dough [and] with a big shovel,

Mixing in a pit, the bappir with sweet aromatics,

Ninkasi, you are the one who handles the dough [and] with a big shovel,

Mixing in a pit, the bappir with [date] – honey,

 

You are the one who bakes the bappir in the big oven,

Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,

Ninkasi, you are the one who bakes the bappir in the big oven,

Puts in order the piles of hulled grains,

 

You are the one who waters the malt set on the ground,

The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,

Ninkasi, you are the one who waters the malt set on the ground,

The noble dogs keep away even the potentates,

 

You are the one who soaks the malt in a jar,

The waves rise, the waves fall.

Ninkasi, you are the one who soaks the malt in a jar,

The waves rise, the waves fall.

 

You are the one who spreads the cooked mash on large reed mats,

Coolness overcomes,

Ninkasi, you are the one who spreads the cooked mash on large reed mats,

Coolness overcomes,

 

You are the one who holds with both hands the great sweet wort,

Brewing [it] with honey [and] wine

(You the sweet wort to the vessel)

Ninkasi, (…)(You the sweet wort to the vessel)

 

The filtering vat, which makes a pleasant sound,

You place appropriately on a large collector vat.

Ninkasi, the filtering vat, which makes a pleasant sound,

You place appropriately on a large collector vat.

 

When you pour out the filtered beer of the collector vat,

It is [like] the onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.

Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the filtered beer of the collector vat,

It is [like] the onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.