Enheduanna: Voicing the Feminine Divine Presentation and Musical Performance

We invite you to watch the special evening celebrating the life and writings of Enheduana, also En-hedu-Ana; (c. twenty-third century B.C.E.) who is the first named author in human history.
Enheduana, an Akkadian princess and daughter of King Sargon I, was appointed high priestess of the moon god Nanna (Sîn) in the holy city of Ur. Her poems and hymns offer unique, first-hand accounts of her personal experiences of the goddess Inana, and provide insights into issues of gender, sexuality, theology, and goddess-worship in early Mesopotamia. Reception following the event from 6 to 7 pm.
Celine Debourse, Assistant Professor in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard presented on “Women in Mesopotamian Temples: Priestess, Slaves, Weavers” and Dr. Sophus Helle, historian and translator of Enheduana’s poems, gave a talk on “Introducing Enheduana’s World: Grief and Gender.” Their presentations were followed by a musical performance, drawn from inspiration from Enheduana’s writings. The world premiere of “To the Stars,” composed by Douglas Knehans, featured CSWR’s Scholar in Residence, Anne Harley (soprano), Maggie Finnegan (soprano), Gabby Diaz (violin), Amy Advocat (bass clarinet), Matt Sharrock (percussion) and Evan Ziporyn (conductor).
This event took place December 12, 2023.
For more information, hds.harvard.ed...

[@runaseijaskuu]

Dalīlu. To listen to the words of people from the olden days spoken and sung, and their life, is amazing to me. It is good they are not yet forgotten. The musical work is great and I thank you for letting me experience it and listenning to this ancient language and the composers interpretation.

[@beverlyyou55]

My heart stoped a little bit...

[@AnnemieBehr]

Thanks for sharing this event. I am introducing it as a resource into my music history syllabus!

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

One of my titbits own poem in Tamil, based on yoga.. When I am on my mother's laps, as a baby.. When I am smiling at her, my mother.. I am not a boy, not a girl.. I am her joy.. Simple & Pure beyond those distinctions..

[@nadia-i1l5h]

Beautiful

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Grand mystic music... I shall try to read the first few lines that I recovered in present form of Tamil.. very similar to what I did with Gilgamesh.. done by Peter Pringle..

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Few lines I recovered in Tamil taking ETCSL translation and transliteration.. About Innana.. When you rain, it is your laugh/smile.. perhaps the sounds.. filling our hearts..

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Great.. This Tamil word is a close cognate to.. thaaini.. the mother in Tamil thaai

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Today I saw this spiritual Yazadi (somehow I treat them as farmers.. ) Innana Mari Mariamman ( rain goddess) Murugan (archetypes of Youth, boy) grass roots spiritual dimensions.. குலவை kulavai , n. < குரவை. Chorus of shrill sounds made by women by wagging the tongue, uttered on festive occasions; விசேட காலங்களில் மகளிர் நாவாற் குழறியிடும் மகிழ்ச்சி யொலி. (G. Tn. D. 135.)

[@nyranstanton203]

you can see where a LOT of the Bible was inspired by this type of affecting writings. There's a few similarities in the trype of rhetoric expressed. Its nto surprising considering Abraham was Sumerian and probably heard poems like this in his homeland before venturing off to start his own religion.

[@7thsealangelAnandana]

❤

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

One of my papers attempts to show aayaa...grand mother or respected lady is common or used in Indus ( the sign with a leaf on head), Gondi, Tamil and here in Mesopotamia..

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Great reading... When read like this.. definitely, it would not look like Tamil.. But, if we ask say sixth standard students of Tamil, but transliterated in Tamil..fast, slow and different styles.. and allow old ladies to listen to them.. old ladies would identify Tamil words.. or look into my articles on how to recover in present form of Tamil..

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Yes.. ME in Tamil as mei is philosophical.. what is truth, natural.. Kramer exclaims ..he could not fully grasp the meaning.. Innana is archetypes of such..

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Nanna in Tamil is crown moon..

[@Astroqai]

It makes me laugh that such intellect studying this writer still don't understand the difference between gender roles and biological sex and how she might have spoken about women and men who did not care for gender roles and did whatever they wanted without that making them any different or the opposite sex or a sexless cast. That was for people with limited intellect like these scholars, not for the men and women who transcended patriarchal gender roles.

[@garrett621]

Sweet Mother of Pearl. I just witnessed the climax of the full decline of western civilization.

[@Sumerian_Tamil]

Or I.le.el

[@davidwalters6468]

Nonsense music

[@garrett621]

Sweet Mother of Pearl. I just witnessed the climax of the full decline of western civilization.