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The month of mid-June to mid-July is called “Dumuzi (Tammuz).” This fourth month of the Babylonian year is named for the God of Fertility and Shepherds. With the advent of the hot, dry summer, Dumuzi goes to the Netherworld to live for six months. The months between June and September are the months that the Dead can roam among the living.

On the 18th day of this month, the statue of Istar (Dumuzi’s wife) is washed, and Dumuzi’s one is anointed in oil. Starting on the 25th day, people honored his death. On the “Day of the Striking,” Dumuzi’s statue is displayed. During “The Day of the Screaming,” people wailed for Him. On“The Day He is caught,” barley is burned and his statue is thrown out the main gate. (This refers to the Galla coming from the Underworld to fetch the God.) On the “Day of the Stall (where He was captured),” Dumuzi’s statue lies in state. At this time, a priest whispers prayers into the statue’s ears.

Meanwhile, in Sumer, the month is called “Su-numum” after the Akiti Su-numum (the Ploughing Festival). Ploughing has begun and will continue for four more months. This month is also referred to the “Month of the Barely Seed,” reflecting the preparation for the planting season. Stones and stubble are removed, and the rows are ploughed. Burnt offerings of fruit and oil are made to the plough. (Traditionally, the festival is started at the full moon after the summer solstice.)

Since Su-numun is also the onset of summer, there also rituals that focused on death and mourning. The first day of the month is “The Festival of the Canebrake (Apum).” (This was traditionally held on the new moon after the summer solstice.) “Canebrake” refers to the burial practice of wrapping the corpse in a shroud and laying it in the burial marshes. “In the reeds of Enki” refers to the canebrake receiving the body. Burial marshes were common. During the festival, it is customary to read laments such as “Lament over the Destruction of Ur” and “Lament over the Destruction of Ur and Sumer.” The “Time of the Great Wailing” commemorates when Ur was destroyed by the Elam and Sua peoples in 2004 BCE.

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Since April/May is the month of spring storms in Sumer, the land needed to be prepared for sowing. (Note 1) The Gusisu Festival, held at the full moon, ecompasses this. During this month, Ningirsu, who is the Warrior God, becomes Ninurta, the Farmer God. The Son of Enlil (the Keeper of the Tablets of Destiny), Ninurta brings the rains of spring. Before the inundation of the fields in May/June, irrigation ditches are repaired and filled. In addition, the oxen and ploughs are prepared for the spring farrowing.

Held for three days, the Gusisu festival starts with Enlil and Ninlil receiving the first offerings. On the second day, the full pantheon of Sumer receives offerings. On the third day, the statue of Ninurta is washed and given offerings. Other offerings are made to the Chariot, the Footstool, the Harp, the Plough, and the Dais of the Gods. Traditions offerings consisted of cows, goats, and sheep. Modern stand-ins include bread cut into shapes of these animals.

The main ritual of this festival re-enacts the Farmer Ninurta creating a furrow with his Divine Plough, then dropping a seed into the newly ploughed earth. At this time, the fate of the harvest is determined as each God handles the Plough and gives their blessing. When They are finished, Ninurta shouts, “Great Mountain Enlil, My father, the divine functions of the month Gusisu have been completed; seed has touched the earth.” Then He proudly enters the resplendent Ekur (Home of the Gods).

The composition, “Isme-Dagan and Enlil’s Chariot” describes this ritual in depth. “Wherein Isme-Dagan, king of Isin and predecessor of Lipit-Istar, assumed the role of Ninurta and dropped the first seed: ‘Let the hoe (and) the plough, the implements of the working people, have a contest before you.’” The King follows Enlil’s instructions further: “Put the holy plough in good order, and plough the fertile field. So that the silos and granaries of Enlil may be piled high, he (the king) drops the fertile seed.”

During the festival, the “Song of the Ploughing Oxen” is recited. This hymn has several sections. First, the farmer asks the oxen to submit to the yoke. Before he yokes them, he asks for the intervention of Nanshe, the Goddess of Dreams to select which oxen to plough with. Then the farmer asks Enkimdu, the God of Dikes and Canals to irrigate the fields. He takes his implements from storage and prepares them for use. Afterwards, he clears his field of stumps with the hoe. Then he asks again the oxen to submit to the yoke. After ploughing, there is drinking in the ale house and happiness for Inanna, Goddess of the Morning and Evening Stars.

One passage reads, “My king, I want to praise the leading oxen of the plow: ‘Ellu! go, oxen, go, put the neck under the yoke, go, royal oxen, go, put the neck under the yoke! Step on the furrows of the fertile field, that the sides be made straight. With your lion's tail beat the sides of the plow, Your step, oxen, rejoices the people, you have been given strength to work! The oxen you guide, Lipit-Istar, and your song is a pleasure.”

Notes:

Note 1. Although the actual seeding occurs in the fall, with the harvest in the spring, it takes four months to prepare.

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In the Standard Mesopotamian Calendar (Note 1), the month beginning at the new moon of April is Ajaru (Ayyaru). From Astrolabe B (Note 2), “The month Ajaru, the Pleiades, the Seven Gods, the opening up of the ground, the oxen are yoked, the land becomes arable, the ploughs washed, the month of heroic Ningirsu, the great ensi (priest) of Enlil.” (Note 3) (This is the month that “the horned oxen march forth.”) Also, the Sacred Marriage of Nabu and Tasmetu is celebrated to ensure the fertility and abundance of the land.

In the Old Babylonian Calendar, it was called Ezem Gusui because of the Gusisu Festival. Since this is the month of spring storms, the land is prepared for sowing. The Gusisu Festival is held at the full moon (about April 22). Ningirsu, who is the Warrior God, becomes Ninurta, the Farmer God. The Son of Enlil (the Keeper of the Tablets of Destiny), Ninurta brings the rains of spring. Before the inundation of the fields in May/June, irrigation ditches are repaired and filled. In addition, the oxen and ploughs are prepared for the spring farrowing. This festival was held for three days with the entire pantheon of Gods receiving offerings.

To honor Ninurta as Lord Plough and Master of the Fields, “The Debate Between the Hoe and the Plough” is read. (Note 4) This debate highlights the Hoe’s importance in civilization, since it builds the cities. Meanwhile, the Plough provides grain for the cities.

Then, the “Song of the Ploughing Oxen” is sung. This song depicts spring ploughing as the “faithful farmer with oxen.” One stanza is “My king, I want to praise the leading oxen of the plow: ‘Ellu! go, oxen, go, put the neck under the yoke, go, royal oxen, go, put the neck under the yoke! Step on the furrows of the fertile field, that the sides be made straight. With your lion’s tail beat the sides of the plow, Your step, oxen, rejoices the people, you have been given strength to work! The oxen you guide, Lipit-Istar (the king), and your song is a pleasure.”

The Sacred Marriage of Nabu, God of Wisdom and Abundant Harvest with Tasmetu, Goddess of Listening and Sexual Attraction is celebrated. (Note 5) As a Divine Couple, they come together as bride and groom. After spending six days and seven nights together, the two Gods are served a banquet by the king and the people. From this marriage will come peace and prosperity to the land.

Notes:

Note 1. The Babylonians had a lunar calendar, and added months beyond the 12-month year. They kept their year keyed to the equinoxes. Between 1750 – 1500 BCE, the Babylonians standardized their calendar – the Standard Mesopotamian Calendar to unify their empire.

Note 2. Astrolabe B has 12 month sectors with the rising of the stars. It lists the main events in the Babylonian Wheel of the Year.

Note 3. The Seven Gods, who are associated with the Pleiades, can be called to fight evil demons.

Note 4. The Sumerians wrote debates (disputations) as a part of their theology to explain the relations between the Gods and humans. Seven are known – Bird and Fish, Copper and Silver, Millstone and Gulgul-stone, Hoe and Plough, Date Palm and Tamarisk (Tree and Reed), Winter and Summer, and Sheep and Grain.

Note 5. Tasmetu is first named as Nabu’s Consort. However, the Babylonians regarded Nanaya to be his Consort, while the Assyrians thought that Tasmetu was.

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Babylon

The beginning of the Babylonian year starts at the Spring Equinox. (Note 1) This turning of the year is called zagmu, “the border of the year.” At this time, people take stock, review their personal affairs, and check their financial accounts. Then they affirm the Gods as the supreme authorities of the cosmos.

According to Assyrian Astrolabe B, Nisannu, the first month of the year is for Nanna (Sin), the God of the Moon. “The month Nisannu, the dais of Anu, the king is installed and invested (with authority); the month of Nanna-Suen, the first-born of Enlil." An incantation from Nimrud reiterates this: “May the month Nisannu, (the month) of Anu and Enlil, absolve! The first month belonged to the First of the Gods.”

During Nisannu (the new moon after the equinox) the Akitu, the New Year Festival is held for twelve days. It starts with purifications, and then the Enuma Elish (the Babylonian Creation Epic) is read. This myth begins with the original creation of the world by Tiamat, the Goddess of Chaos, and Apsu, the God of Waters. Later Anu, a God from the succeeding generation becomes the “Father of the Gods.” Eventually, He cedes his powers to Enlil, from yet a newer generation of Gods, who seeks to overthrow the original Gods. After Enlil kills Apsu, Tiamat wages war on the newer Gods. In desperation, Enlil goes to Marduk, the principal deity of Babylon, for help. On the condition that He is made the Ruler of the Gods, Marduk agrees. After killing Tiamat, Marduk remakes the world from her body.

During the Akitu, Marduk disappears. While his and Nabu’s temples are being cleansed, the people search for Him. At this time, they carry the statues of the other Gods to Marduk’s temple. Meanwhile, Nabu, the Scribe of the Gods and Marduk’s Minister, searches for and then frees Marduk from the Underworld. Then in his temple, the priests re-enthroned Marduk as the Ruler of the Gods. (Note 2) Afterwards, they do divination for the coming year. The festival ends with celebrations and the return of the Gods to their shrines.

Meanwhile to begin the growing season, the King would enact a sacred marriage with the temple priestess of Ishtar (Inanna). Their mating is to reaffirm the marriage of Ishtar, the Goddess of Fertility, with her husband, Tammuz (Dumuzi). These marriage rites ensure that the King is accepted as one of the Gods, and blessed by Ishtar, who also blesses the crops.

Notes:
Note 1: The Babylonians had a lunar calendar, and added months beyond the 12-month year. They kept their year keyed to the equinoxes. Between 1750 - 1500 BCE, they standardized their calendar - the Standard Mesopotamian Calendar to unify their empire.

Note 2: This called the “Installation of the King,” which could either mean Marduk, Himself or a human king.

Sumer

The beginning of the Sumerian year starts at the Spring Equinox. This turning of the year is called zagmu, “the border of the year.” This is the time to take stock, review personal affairs, and financial accounts. Moreover the Gods are affirmed as the supreme authorities of the cosmos.

For Sumerians, the month is called Barazagar, which is thought to be mean “throne of the sanctuary.” During this month, the statues of the Gods are placed by either side of the Throne of Enlil, This is the time that Enlil holds court. First Offerings are made to the Gods.

The Akiti-Sekinku, “the Festival of Barley Consumption,” starts at the full moon, after the harvest. At this festival, presents of bread and beer (burumai) are given. Offerings are made to Nisaba ((Tashmetum) Goddess of Grain), Nanshe (Goddess of Divination) or Ningirsu (God of the Floods) (depending on the city). On the first day of the festival, the God, their Family, and Associates receive offerings. On the second day, the God receive the most offerings. On the final day, only the God receives any offerings. (These offerings are barley, dates and dark beer.)

From a “Hymn to Nisaba:”

In order to make grain and vegetable grown in the furrow,
So that the excellent corn can be marvelled at,
That is, to provide for the seven great throne-daises
By making vegetables shoot forth, making grain shoot forth,
At harvest, the great festival of Enlil,
She in her great princely role has verily cleansed (her) body,
Has verily put the holy priestly garment on (her) torso.
(N.B. This alludes to the beauty of the grain being harvested.)

The Akitu Festival in Nippur, Sumer honors the coming of Nanna. The entry of Nanna is celebrated, with his statue brought in by barge from the akitu house (a building outside of the city). (The akitu house is where the God temporarily lives while He is on the earth.) Depending on the Sumerian city, Nanna, Ninurta, Enlil or Inanna are celebrated. Modern Sumerian Polytheists usually choose between the four Gods to honor.

Note: The Sumerians had a lunar calendar, and added months beyond the 12-month year. They kept their year keyed to the equinoxes. Modern Sumerian Polytheists follow the reconstructed calendar of the holy city of Nippur.

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BABYLONIAN MONTH OF JUNE-JULY

The Gusisu Festival of Mesopotamia

BABYLONIAN GODS FOR APRIL/MAY

New Year in Babylon and Sumer