Introduction:

The tale of Inanna’s descent into the underworld and her encounter with her sister, Ereshkigal, is a profound and evocative myth originating from ancient Mesopotamia, specifically from the Sumerian civilization. This is a traditional story, passed down through generations, offering a glimpse into the beliefs, values, and worldview of the people who once inhabited that region. It is a story, not a historical fact or a religious truth.

Origins and Cultural Background:

The Sumerian civilization flourished in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) from around the 4th millennium BCE. Their society was organized around city-states, each with its own patron deity and ruler. Religion permeated every aspect of Sumerian life. They believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who controlled various aspects of nature and human affairs. The Sumerians viewed the world as a complex and often unpredictable place, where the divine realm directly influenced their earthly existence. They believed in a cyclical view of time and the importance of maintaining balance between the forces of life and death, order and chaos. Myths like Inanna’s descent provided a framework for understanding these complex concepts and the human condition. Their environment, the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, shaped their beliefs. The cycles of agriculture, the dependence on water, and the awareness of death were all woven into their stories.

Character Description: Ereshkigal

Ereshkigal was the Sumerian goddess of the underworld, the queen of the land of the dead, known as Kur. She was a powerful and formidable figure, embodying the inevitability of death and the mysteries of the afterlife. In this narrative, Ereshkigal isn’t a being to be feared or worshipped, but a character in a story reflecting the Sumerian understanding of death and the afterlife.

Symbolically, Ereshkigal represents the darker aspects of existence – grief, loss, and the acceptance of mortality. Her realm, the underworld, is a place of shadows and silence, a stark contrast to the vibrant world of the living. Her dominion highlights the Sumerian understanding that life and death are intertwined, and that even the most powerful beings are subject to the cycle of existence. She is often depicted as a somber and isolated figure, highlighting the loneliness and isolation associated with death.

Main Story / Narrative Retelling:

Inanna, the radiant Queen of Heaven and Earth, Goddess of love, beauty, and war, resolved to journey to Kur, the underworld, ruled by her sister Ereshkigal. Why she chose to make this perilous descent remains a subject of interpretation – perhaps out of curiosity, a desire for greater power, or a need to confront her own mortality.

Before departing, Inanna instructed her loyal handmaiden, Ninshubur, to seek help from the gods Enlil, Nanna, and Enki if she did not return after three days. She adorned herself in her most magnificent garments: a turban, a wig, a lapis lazuli necklace, beads upon her breast, a golden ring on her hand, and the royal robe, the pala, about her body. She grasped the measuring rod and lapis lazuli line in her hand, symbols of her divine authority.

She approached the gates of the underworld, demanding entrance from the gatekeeper, Neti. Neti, bound by the laws of the underworld, could not refuse a goddess, but he was commanded by Ereshkigal to make Inanna pass through seven gates. At each gate, Neti stripped Inanna of one of her garments or jewels, representing the gradual stripping away of earthly power and identity as one approaches death. At the first gate, her turban was removed. At the second, her lapis lazuli earrings. At the third, her necklace. And so on, until she stood naked and humbled before Ereshkigal.

When Inanna finally stood before her sister, Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld, she did not greet her with joy, but with a fixed, dark stare. The seven judges of the underworld, the Anunnaki, rendered their judgement against Inanna. Ereshkigal fixed upon her the eye of death, spoke against her the word of wrath, and uttered against her the cry of guilt. Inanna was transformed into a corpse and hung upon a hook on the wall.

Three days passed. Ninshubur, following Inanna’s instructions, went to Enlil, Nanna, and Enki, pleading for their help. Only Enki, the god of wisdom and trickery, answered her call. He fashioned two sexless creatures, the kurgarra and the galaturra, and instructed them to appease Ereshkigal with cries of sorrow and empathy for her own pain. He charged them to accept any gift offered by Ereshkigal, except for the rivers and fields of the underworld, and to ask instead for Inanna’s corpse.

The kurgarra and galaturra followed Enki’s instructions. Ereshkigal, overwhelmed by their sorrow, offered them any gift. They requested Inanna’s corpse. Ereshkigal, bound by her word, had to comply.

Enki’s creatures sprinkled Inanna’s body with the food and water of life, and she began to stir. However, the laws of the underworld demanded a replacement for Inanna. She could not leave until someone else took her place. Demons followed Inanna as she ascended back to the world of the living.

As Inanna traveled with the demons, she saw her loyal subjects mourning her absence. Yet, when they arrived at Uruk, they found Dumuzi, Inanna’s husband, sitting on his throne, unconcerned with her fate. Outraged, Inanna decreed that Dumuzi would descend to the underworld in her stead. Dumuzi’s sister, Geshtinanna, offered to share Dumuzi’s place, so it was decided that they would each spend half the year in the underworld. This myth, therefore, also served as an explanation for the changing seasons.

Symbolism and Meaning:

The myth of Inanna’s descent is rich in symbolism. It can be interpreted as a metaphor for the cycles of nature, particularly the death and rebirth of vegetation. Inanna’s journey represents the descent into winter, while her return symbolizes the coming of spring. It also explores themes of power, ambition, mortality, and the complexities of relationships between siblings. The stripping away of Inanna’s garments and jewels symbolizes the vulnerability and loss of identity that comes with confronting death. The need for a replacement highlights the Sumerian belief in the balance between life and death. It serves as a reminder that even goddesses are subject to the laws of the universe.

Modern Perspective:

The myth of Inanna’s descent continues to resonate in modern literature, movies, games, and cultural studies. It is often used as a source of inspiration for exploring themes of female empowerment, self-discovery, and the confrontation with the shadow self. In feminist literature, Inanna is often seen as a symbol of female agency and strength. The story has also been adapted into various forms of art, including operas, plays, and visual art installations. The story’s themes of sacrifice and renewal find their way into modern storytelling.

Conclusion:

The story of Ereshkigal and Inanna’s descent is a fascinating example of ancient Sumerian mythology. It is a cultural story, a product of human imagination and storytelling, and not a statement of belief. It is important to remember that, as Muslims, we believe in one God, Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. These ancient myths offer valuable insights into the cultural heritage and worldview of a civilization that flourished thousands of years ago. They remind us of the power of storytelling to explore complex themes and transmit cultural values across generations. The story is an opportunity to reflect on the human experience, the power of imagination, and the enduring legacy of ancient cultures.