Ancients Land of Two rivers forgotten history lay beneath the now abandoned waste lands. Although the ancient dwellers inventions and theological concept influence was widely practice by modern society but it was regarded as myth and folklore tales. The curiosity of travellers to the scattered mounds and the local’s discovery of fired clay tables with strange symbols and other artefacts, which they traded with foreign visitors. As far as the locals concern, they were of value but were perceived as the work of the devil.
Most of these newly found clay tables ended up in museums and private collectors. An explosion of intensive digging leading to discovery of ancient temples, statues, pots and other ancient artefacts.
The profile of ancient forgotten civilization surfaced to the scholars and the western public. Invoking curiosity and many documented adventure in the land of two rivers (modern Iraq).
The decipherment of cuneiform tablets started in 18th century and the publications of ancients’ tales and theological texts started to have an impact on modern literature.
“Inanna’s descent to the netherworld “, a follow up segment to the ‘Courtship of Inanna and Dumuzi.’ (See last Post)
The rich Semitic tales originally recited in a poetry form and were echoed during marriage rites, annual events and religious gathering in ancient Mesopotamia.
These ancient texts invoke a glimpse of the daily life of ancient dwellers.
An insight to their social and religious concepts; and to certain aspects highlights the history of land of two rivers.
Inanna’s Descent to the Netherworld
Inanna has set her mind to venture to the land of no return.
Egalkurzagin (abode of the dead), where her sister Ereshkigal reign supreme. She knew it was a daring journey, thus she instructed her ever loyal vizier Ninshubur.
When I shall have come to the netherworld
Fill heaven with complaints for me
In the assembly shrine cry out for me
In the house of the gods rush about for me
Lower thy eye for me
Lower thy mouth for me
Ninshubur was to act upon her instruction three days after Inanna enters her sister domain.
Inanna daughter of sin was determined to go
To the house which those who enter cannot leave
On the road where travelling in one way only
To the house where those who enter are deprived of light
Where dust is their food
Clay their bread
They see no light they dwell in darkness
They are clothed like birds with feathers
Over the door and the bolt dust has settled
She arrives at the gate and demand to enter. Neti the gatekeeper of the under world, who ask her to identify herself.
She respond;’ I am the Queen of Heaven the place where the sun rises.’
Neti then ask her: “why have you come to the land of no return?
On the road whose traveller returns not how has thy heart led thee?”
Inanna then reply to Neti’s question:
My elder sister Ereshkigal
Because her husband the lord Gugalanna, has being killed
To witness the funeral rites.
Neti then informs Ereshigal of her sister’s presence outside the main gate.
She is angry at her sister’s daring venture.
What brings her to me?
What has incited her against me?
Surely not because I drink water with the Anunnaki
I eat clay for bread
I drink muddy water for beer
I have to weep for young men forced to abandon sweethearts
I have to weep for girls wrenched from their lovers’ laps
For the infant child I have to weep, expelled before it’s time
Go gatekeeper open your gate to her
Treat her according to the ancient rites.
Neti let her through the first door and take away the great crown of her head.
He let her in through the second door and takes away the rings in her ears
He let her in through the third door and takes away the beads around her neck
He let her in through the fourth door and takes away the toggle pins at her breast
He let her in through the fifth door and takes away the girdle of birth stones around her waist
Her let her in through the sixth door and takes away the bangles on her wrist and ankles
He let her in through the seventh door and stripped off her proud garment off her body.
Inanna now naked and stripped off from her statues is let in presences of Ereshkigal and the seven Anunnaki, who pronounced judgment before her.
They fastened their eyes upon her, the eyes of death
At their word, the words which tortures the spirit
The sick woman has turned into a corpse
The corpse was hung from a stake
After three days and three nights has passed
Her messenger Ninshubur, fills the heaven with complaints for Inanna.
Cried for her in the assembly shrine.
He pleads to Enlil but to no avail. He then go to Nanna and weeps for his help. Nanna stood not by him.
He then appeal to Enki.
What now has the queen of all the lands done I am troubled
He brought forth dirt and fashioned the Kurgarru
He brought forth dirt and fashioned Kalaturru
To the Kurgarru he gave the food of life
To the Kalaturru he gave the water of life
Upon the corpse hung from a stake they directed the fear of rays of fire
Sixty times the food of life
Sixty times the water of life they sprinkled upon it
Inanna arose
Inanna ascends from the netherworld
The Anunnaki seized her and ordered her to give a substitute for her.
Holy inanna gave the shepherd Dumuzi into their hands.
End of this text
Sumerian demons
Sumerian Head dress
Queen of heaven head dress
Sumerian neckless
Sumerians beads
