Summary page for Namma, the Sumerian goddess of primordial waters, creation, and magic.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Primordial Waters, Creation, Magic, Protection
Archetype:
Creator: Central to cosmogony, creating gods, mankind, the cosmic ocean, and the universe.
Protector: Guarded against demons, illness, and dangers through purification and magic.
Group:
Creator of Anunnaki: Called the “original mother” of the gods, foundational to their creation.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Nama, Nammu, Namnamu, Nannama
Other Pantheons:
Tiamat (Babylonian Pantheon): Both represent primeval oceans but differ in roles and character. Unlike Tiamat, Namma was not portrayed as a chaotic figure.
In Syrian mythology, Namma was often compared to Tauthe (Thalassa) due to their shared role as primordial water deities. Both represent the concept of the primeval waters from which creation emerged.
Primeval Ocean Parallels: Namma inspired later depictions of primordial waters in Babylonian myths.
Cosmic Creator: Revered as the mother of heaven, earth, and the gods.
Primeval Sea Personification: Embodied the life-giving force of the primordial waters.
Divine Motherhood: Known as the “original mother” of the Sumerian pantheon.
Creator of Humanity: Played a central role in shaping mankind.
Fertility and Water: Represented fertility and the life-sustaining power of fresh water (engur). When compared to Tiamat she was believed to be the salt waters.
Magical Protector: Associated with incantations and rituals to purify and ward off harm.
Religious Authority: Central to creation myths, she held immense reverence in spiritual traditions.
Siblings:
Abzu – god of the Underground Cavern of Sweet Water
Consorts:
Abzu – god of the Underground Cavern of Sweet Water
Independent Creator: Some traditions depict Namma as self-generating, without a consort.
In a single inscription, she appears as the wife of An.
Children:
Gestu – god of Wisdom
An – god of Sky, Heaven
Ki – goddess of Earth
In some sources, she is reported to be the mother of Enki or Enlil.
Enki – god of Water, Fish, Justice, Wisdom, Magic, Shipmenders, Crafts, Healing, Fertility, Art, Exorcism
Enlil – god of Air, Earth, Storms, Wind, Agriculture
Uncertain Iconography: No specific artistic depictions of Namma are firmly identified.
Scarcity of Details: Few sources describe Namma’s visual portrayal or character traits.
Symbolic Representation: Associated with engur (primordial waters) rather than concrete imagery.
Epithetical Descriptions: Known as “lady who is great and high in the sea.”
Symbolism:
Water (engur): Represented the waters, symbolizing life-giving and creative forces. In some traditions, these were the fresh subterranean waters; in others, she represented the salt waters of the cosmic ocean.
Cosmic Ocean: Embodied the primordial waters, highlighting her role as a universal creator.
“Lady Who Is Great and High in the Sea”: Epithet symbolizing her power over oceanic domains.
Etymology of Creativity: Her name symbolized “creativity,” “totality,” and the sum of existence.
Weapons:
No Weapons Mentioned: Namma was not associated with weapons.
Symbolism Over Warfare: Represented water and life-giving forces rather than destructive or combative power.
Sacred Animals:
No Sacred Animals Mentioned: Namma was not linked to specific animals.
Focus on Water and Creation: Her symbolism revolved around water and cosmogony, not creatures.
Celestial Associations:
No Celestial Links: Namma was not connected to planets, stars, or other celestial bodies. She existed before the creation of the cosmos.
Focus on Water: Her associations centered on water and creation, not the heavens.
Realms:
Watery Realm (engur): Ruled the life-giving waters.
Cosmic Ocean: Personified the primordial waters, the origin of all creation.
Primeval Sea: Represented the chaotic, generative state of the unformed cosmos.
Maritime Domain: Known as “lady who is great and high in the sea.”
Worship Places:
Eridu: Central to Namma’s worship, tied to her cosmogonic and maternal roles.
Ur: Had a temple dedicated to Namma during the Old Babylonian period.
Uruk: King Lugal-kisalsi built a temple for Namma (2400–2250 BCE).
Nippur: Ekur Complex housed the shrine kius-Namma (“footstep of Namma”).
Babylon: Esagil Temple included another shrine named kius-Namma.
Bāṣ: Worshiped in É-DÚR-gi-na, the temple of Lugal-asal.
Rituals & Divinations:
Protective Incantations: Used to purify and guard against illness, demons, and scorpions.
Collaborative Rituals: Invoked alongside Enki, Nanshe, and Asalluhi in magical ceremonies.
Hymns of Praise: Zà-mì hymns honored Namma through literary and musical expressions.
Mythic Reenactments: Rituals likely included recitations of creation myths involving Namma.
Festivals:
27th Day of the Month: Dedicated to Namma and Nergal, involving royal and public offerings.
Purpose: Honored her creative and protective roles, likely tied to cosmic order or fertility.
Biblical References:
No Direct Mentions: Namma is not explicitly referenced in the Bible.
Parallels with Tiamat: Themes linked to Tiamat, who shared traits with Namma, appear in biblical texts.
Tehom in Genesis: The Hebrew term “Tehom” (the deep) in Genesis 1:2 mirrors Tiamat’s role.
Primordial Waters: Both Tehom and Tiamat symbolize chaotic waters at creation’s start.
Chaoskampf Motif: Biblical stories, like Isaiah 27:1, echo Mesopotamian chaos-monster myths.
Mythology Themes
Birth of Humanity: Played a key role in creating mankind alongside Enki and Ninmah.
Genesis of Realms: Created the heavens, earth, and pantheon of gods, establishing cosmic order.
Specters of the Spirit Realm: Associated with rituals protecting against spirits, demons, and supernatural forces.
Mythology Stories With Mentions of Namma
Enki and Ninmah
- Role: Creator of humanity.
- Details: Brought the gods’ complaints to Enki, helped shape humans from clay.
- Assistants: Collaborated with seven minor goddesses to complete humanity’s creation.
General Sumerian Cosmogony
- Role: Primordial creator and divine mother.
- Details: Gave birth to An (heaven), Ki (earth), and many other gods.
Enūma Eliš (Babylonian Parallels)
- Role: Proto-role similar to Tiamat.
- Details: Personified primordial waters, paralleling Tiamat’s role in Babylonian myths.
Early Dynastic zà-mì Hymns
- Role: Praised as a divine mother and creator.
- Details: Hymns honored her cosmic significance, though details remain fragmentary.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Nammu: A Forgotten Tale of the Sumerian Mother of Gods (AncientOrigins.net, May 13, 2018)
- 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, Nammu (Wikipedia.com, October 5, 2023)
- Nicole Brisch, Namma (Oracc.Museum.Upenn.Edu, 2013)
- Saugat Adhikari, Top 10 Sumerian Gods and Goddesses (AncientHistoryLists.com, September 2, 2022)