How the Gods Created Humanity from Clay
Summary page for the Sumerian myth of Enki and Ninmah. An ancient Sumerian story of creation.
The Igigi gods groaned beneath their endless toil, their cries rising to the mother goddess Namma. Enki, the god of wisdom, stirred from his sleep and shaped mortals from sacred clay to ease the burden of the gods.
Yet, in a night of revelry, Enki and Ninmah tested fate itself. They molded flawed beings and challenged destiny. What they created revealed the power—and limits—of the gods’ design.
Themes in the Myth of Enki and Ninmah, The Creation of Humanity
Genesis of Realms – The Creation of the World
- Describes the birth of heaven, earth, and divine realms.
- Establishes the cosmic order and the roles of gods.
- Marks the beginning of fate and divine authority.
Birth of Humanity – The Creation of Mortals
- Enki formed humans from clay and divine essence.
- Humans replaced the Igigi gods in performing labor.
- The birth goddesses helped shape and bring them to life.
Tricksters and Their Mischief – Divine Competition
- Enki and Ninmah challenged each other by creating flawed beings.
- Ninmah made imperfect humans, but Enki assigned them roles.
- Enki created a being so flawed that even Ninmah could not help it.
Deity Groups in The Myth of Enki and Ninmah
The Anunnaki – High Council of the Gods
- Ruled over the cosmos and lesser gods.
- Assigned labor to the Igigi before humans existed.
- Celebrated when humanity took over their burdens.
The Igigi – The Laboring Gods
- Performed hard labor before the creation of humans.
- Grew weary and revolted against the Anunnaki.
- Their suffering led to Enki’s decision to create humans.
Gods and Goddesses Mentioned In The Myth
Enki (Nudimmud ) – God of Wisdom and Creation
- Ruled over water, wisdom, and creation.
- Devised the plan to create humans from clay.
- Challenged Ninmah in a contest of creation.
Namma (Nammu) – Primeval Mother of the Gods
- The ancient goddess of primordial waters.
- She heard the gods’ suffering and urged Enki to act.
- Set the creation of humanity into motion.
Ninmah (Ninhursag) – Mother Goddess of Birth
- Helped Enki shape the first humans.
- Created flawed beings in a contest with Enki.
- Cursed Enki when he created an unredeemable being.
An (Anu) – God of the Heavens
- Supreme ruler of the gods and the sky.
- Oversaw the divine order and cosmic balance.
- Attended the feast celebrating humanity’s creation.
Enlil – God of Wind and Kingship
- Controlled storms, wind, and authority.
- Held power over the destinies of gods and humans.
- Joined in the divine feast after humans were created.
Gestu – The Sacrificed God of Intellect
- “Gestu” means “ear” or “intelligence” in Sumerian, symbolizing wisdom and understanding.
- He was a god sacrificed to provide the divine essence needed to create humanity.
- His blood and intellect were mixed with clay to form the first humans.
The Midwife Goddesses
- Assisted in shaping humans from clay.
- Included Ninimma, Šu-zi-ana, Ninmada, Ninbarag, Ninmug, Ninsar, and Ninguna.
- Played a key role in humanity’s birth.
Other Characters Of Importance In The Myth Of Enki and Ninmah
Umul – The Failed Creation
- The deformed being created by Enki to challenge Ninmah.
- Too flawed to survive or serve a purpose.
- This led to Ninmah’s frustration and curse upon Enki.
The First Humans
- Created from clay and divine essence.
- Took over labor from the overworked Igigi gods.
- Multiplied and built the first human societies.
The Six Flawed Humans Created by Ninmah
- Ninmah shaped six imperfect beings to challenge Enki.
- Enki gave each a role in society.
- Included a blind musician, a silversmith, and a eunuch.
Places and Realms in the Myth of Enki and Ninmah
Apsu (Abzu) – The Freshwater Deep
- The primeval abyss beneath the earth.
- Enki’s domain and source of creative power.
- Provided the sacred clay for human creation.
Hal-an-kug – Enki’s Chamber of Pondering
- Enki’s private chamber for deep thought.
- He devised the plan to create humans here.
- Namma urged him to act in this sacred space.
Harali – The Gods’ Laboring Grounds
- A place where the gods toiled before humans existed.
- The Igigi dug canals and worked the land.
- Their suffering led to Enki’s intervention.
Heaven and Earth – The Cosmic Realms
- The divine realms formed at creation.
- Represented order and separation of gods and mortals.
- The myth describes their formation as the beginning of fate.
E-Kur – The Sacred Mountain-Temple
- A great temple linked to Enlil’s rule.
- Ninmah lamented her misfortune after leaving it.
- Symbolized divine power and stability.
The Land – The Mortal World
- The place where humans lived and worked.
- Possibly refers to Sumer.
- Marked the boundary between gods and mortals.
The Sumerian Myth of Enki and Ninmah:
How the Gods Created Humanity from Clay
The Gods’ Toil and Complaint
- The Igigi gods labored endlessly, digging canals and working the land.
- Exhausted, they cried out to Namma for relief.
Namma Wakes Enki and Urges Him to Act
- Namma brought the gods’ suffering to Enki’s attention.
- She urged him to create a substitute to take over their labor.
The Sacrifice of Gestu
- Some versions mention Gestu, a god of wisdom and perception.
- Enki sacrificed Gestu, mixing his divine essence with clay.
- This granted humans intelligence and understanding.
Enki Creates Humans from Clay and Divine Essence
- Enki shaped humanity from sacred clay and divine materials.
- The birth goddesses assisted in bringing humans to life.
The Gods Celebrate the Creation of Humans
- Humans took over the gods’ labor, bringing them great relief.
- The gods rejoiced and honored Enki’s wisdom with a feast.
Enki and Ninmah’s Contest Over Human Imperfections
- Enki and Ninmah drank beer and tested their creative powers.
- Ninmah made flawed humans, and Enki found roles for them.
Enki’s Final Creation – Umul, the Unredeemable Being
- Enki created a creature so deformed that it could not function.
- Even Ninmah could not help it, leading to Ninmah’s frustration.
Ninmah’s Curse and Enki’s Final Response
- Ninmah cursed Enki for his failed creation.
- Enki accepted the curse, proving the limits of divine power.
Praise For Enki
- Umul is assigned to build the house for Enki.
- The myth ends with praise to Enki.
Find More Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Myths (Encyclopedia Britannica, January 09, 2022)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019)
- Samuel Noah Kramer, The Sumerians Their History, Culture, and Character (The University of Chicago Press, 1963) Pages 149 – 151
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Enki and Ninmaḫ (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2006-12-19)
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021)