Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Flooding
Archetype:
Destroyer Deity
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Nu Mus Da, Numushda, ‘roaring god’
Numushda was known for wild nature and violence.
He was linked to flooding.
People thought he could control rain and storms.
Nature and violence often appeared in stories about him.
He was seen as a powerful, roaring god.
Siblings:
Ereshkigal – goddess of the Underworld as Queen of The Dead
Inanna – goddess of Fertility, Love, War, Procreation
Ishkur – god of Storm, Wind
Utu – god of the Sun, Justice
Consorts:
Namrat – goddess of little-known information about her
Children:
Adgarkidu – goddess of Mountains
Numushda was depicted as a god linked to wild nature and violence.
Known as the “roaring god,” indicating a fierce image.
He was often associated with flooding and natural forces.
In mythology, he was compared to lions and mythical creatures like the mušḫuššu.
Weapons:
None Known
Sacred Animals:
Lion
Mushussu
Lions and mythical creatures like mušḫuššu were compared to him.
Symbolism:
Numushda was known as the “roaring god,” symbolizing power and fierceness.
Celestial Associations:
A star, possibly Eta Centauri or Kappa Centauri, was named after Numushda.
This star was associated with rain and weather.
Realms:
Numushda was connected with nature, especially floods and storms.
Worship Places:
Kazallu, now central Iraq, was the primary center for Numushda’s veneration. Situated in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, this was a place prone to flooding. Therefore, it became a place where the people honored him as a central figure in their spiritual lives.
He also had connections to Kiritab and Marad.
Rituals & Divinations:
Sumerians saw Numushda as a powerful figure in their community. Their worship focused on appeasing the god to prevent future flooding.
In “The Marriage of Martu,” he was the father of the bride, Adgarkidu. He challenged Martu to provide gifts before agreeing to the marriage.
Numushda was also associated with warfare and depicted as a fierce warrior in hymns.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019)
- Multiple Authors, Numushda (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, 9 December 2023)
- Nicole Brisch, ‘Numušda (god)’, Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses (Oracc and the UK Higher Education Academy, 2019)