Neptune's Dolphins

 

In the Old Babylonian Calendar, it was called Ezem Gusisu 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 for three days. 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. (Note 4)

 

To honor Ninurta as Lord Plough and Master of the Fields, “The Debate Between the Hoe and the Plough” is read. (Note 5) This debate highlights the Hoe’s importance in civilization, since it builds the cities. Meanwhile, the Plough provides grain for the cities. Afterwards, a plough is symbolically used with the dropping of the first seed to be planted.

 

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 plough:

‘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 plough,

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.” (Note 6)

 

At the end of the Gusisu Festival, the plough and oxen are blessed. Then, a final praise hymn is sung:

“The Hero has performed his divine function.

Ningal, the servant of Enlil, let go of the plough and removed the yoke.

From that place the Gods depart to perform their routine duties.

Ninurta stands by the Ekurzagin (Note 7), head raised high,

And calls forth to his Father, the Great Mountain Enlil:

‘My Father, the divine functions of the month Gusisu have been completed; seed has touched the earth.’”

 

Late in the month, the Sacred Marriage of Nabu and Tasmetu is celebrated. (Note 8) This Marriage of these Gods ensures the fertility and abundance of the land. During the Sacred Marriage of Nabu (God of Wisdom and Abundant Harvest) with Tasmetu (Goddess of Listening and Sexual Attraction), their statues are placed together. 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. (They are usually referred to as a group, not as individuals.)

 

Note 4. The first day’s offerings go to Enlil, Ninlil, Ninurta, and the Chair of Enlil. The second day’s offerings go to Ninlil, Nanna, Ninurta, Nintinugga, Ninhursag, Nuska, Inanna, Enki, Nisaba, and Ningagia. Also, to the Sacred Mound, Door of Enlil, “Abzu” (Pool) of Ninlil, the Plough, the Threshing Sled, the Harp, and the Chariot. The third day’s offerings are for Ninurta and the Plough.

 

Note 5. 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 6. From Mark Cohen, “Festivals and Calendars of the Ancient Near East.”

 

Note 7. The Ekurzagin is the “Mountain House of the Gods.”

 

Note 8. Tasmetu is first named as Nabu’s Consort. However, the Babylonians regarded Nanaya to be his Consort, while the Assyrians thought that Tasmetu was.

 

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.