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During the Festival of Barley Consumption in Mesopotamia, barley bread and beer are consumed in vast quantities. In brewing beer, bread was first baked for the bappir (twice-baked bread) provided the fermenting agent. The Hymn to Ninkasi, which is sung during the festival, tells how to make both. (Note 1)

Barley beer dates back to 3500-3100 BCE in Mesopotamia. The Sumerians brewed beer to different strengths without hops. They flavored the drink with different ingredients such as dates. Beer was such an integral part of their culture that the Sumerian language had many words for beer alone. Meanwhile, the Babylonians classified their beers into twenty categories, with over seventy varieties of beer.

Since it provided nourishment, beer was a staple in people’s lives. Cities provided daily rations to all their citizens. Wages for workmen were partially paid in beer also. A gift from the Gods, beer was given back as an offering.

Their thick beer, which had the consistency of porridge, was served in bowls and drunk with straws. (Note 2) How a person drank their beer showed their class. Only cultured persons knew how to drink it properly. “He who does not know beer, does not know what is good,” is a Sumerian proverb.

The Gods relished drinking beer but frowned on drunkenness. For Them, beer made the heart light, not drunk. In fact, any God who could not maintain self-control while drinking deserved ridicule. Beer was considered healing since Ninkasi, the Goddess of Beer, was born through the actions of Mother Ninhursag,

The “Hymn to Ninkasi” is the oldest record of women brewing beer. The duties of women in Mesopotamia included baking bappir and brewing beer. Until modern times, women routinely brewed beer and ale for their families and communities.

Notes:

Note 1: In 1989, the Anchor Brewing Company of San Francisco brewed beer according to the hymn. https://www.anchorbrewing.com/blog/sumerian-beer-project/

Note 2: The straw was invented by the Sumerians and was developed into its present form by the Babylonians.

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.

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, and the Beer Goddess, Ninkasi (Note 2) was praised. Modern Sumerian Polytheists will celebrate with bread and beer, giving thanks for both Goddesses.

Notes:

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

Note 2. 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.

Since the Babylonian 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 Babylonian calendar have to fit within the solar year of equinoxes. The fourth month (intercalary) was usually inserted by a decree from the King.

In the Standard Mesopotamian Calendar (Note 1), the month is called “Addaru.” According to Astrolabe B, in the month of Addaru, “the vast fields of Ningirsu (Lord Flood) the sickle is not left behind.” When the reaping is done, the Barley (Emmer wheat) Consumption Festival starts. People feast, drink beer, visit each other, and play table games.

Meanwhile, preparation for the Festival of Dumuzi is underway, which happens at the end of the month. Offerings of fruit, cheeses, honey, and oil are placed on boats, and sent downstream. The boats fetch Dumuzi, the Shepherd God, (Note 2) from the Netherworld, so that He can prepare for his marriage to Inanna. His Sister, Gestinana goes to take his place in the Netherworld.

The Festival of the Carnelian Bed celebrates the marriage of Ninlil (Lady Wind in the Grain) and Enlil (Lord Wind). Since Addaru is the month of Enlil’s happiness, hymns are sung before the Bed. (Note 3) Then beer, incense, and goat meat are offered for the happiness of these Two Gods, who often interceded in the behalf of humans.

Notes:

Note 1. The Standard Mesopotamian Calendar has a nineteen-year cycle. One month is added in the 17th year before the Autumn Equinox – Ululu 2. In the 19th year, one month is added before the Vernal Equinox, Addaru 2. Each month has 29 or 30 days, which gives a year of 354 days. Therefore, intercalary months are needed to keep the lunar calendar in sync with the solar year. These months usually had the festivals held in either Ululu or Addaru.

Note 2. Not all Gods were immortal. Dumuzi, considered to be a Dead God, was seized by the galla and dragged into the Netherworld.

Note 3. The Carnelian Bed, like Boats, has the essence of the Gods.

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