Different Sumerian Myths about Human Creation
The myths of the Sumerians offer a fascinating collection of tales, each shedding light on humanity's origins and its deep relationship with the gods.
These tales don’t all agree on one single origin for humanity.
Instead, they describe different beginnings: some say we came from clay and water, others point to plants, animals, or even divine speech itself.
The Sumerians had a really diverse way of thinking about creation.
In an earlier article, we talked about the most famous creation myth—the one about clay and water.
It’s the one with Enki, the clever god of wisdom, Nammu, the first mother goddess, and Ninmah, the nurturing mother. The clay from the Apsu, the underground waters, was shaped into humans by these divine figures.
Enlil and the Myth of Growing Humans from Grass
But that’s just one story. There’s another, much less known, called the Myth of Enlil's Grasses.
This story goes in a completely different direction. Instead of clay, it says Enlil planted the seeds of humanity into the cracks of the earth. Over time, humans grew out of those cracks like grass.
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| goddess Aya with Utu entering Enlil ziggurat residence in Nippur |
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| enlil_creation_infographic |
Symbolism Behind Enlil’s Role as Creator
What’s really interesting about this myth is that it gives the role of creator to Enlil, who is more known for being the god of storms and wind, not creation.
This might mean the story comes from a very early time in history, maybe even before the Sumerians had their religion fully worked out.
Some experts think this myth could go back as far as 5000 B.C., when the ancestors of the Sumerians lived in northern Mesopotamia.
At that time, people depended a lot on rain for their crops. After the rain, grass and plants would sprout quickly from the ground, which might’ve inspired this idea of humans “growing” from cracks in the earth.
Also, this was around the time when the idea of male gods, like Enlil, started to become more important in their culture.
The Myth of the Hoe: Enlil’s Agricultural Power
Comparison of Sumerian Myths About the Creation of Humans
Sumerian mythology presents multiple creation stories. The table below compares the different myths involving Enlil and Enki, two of the most prominent creator gods.
| Myth Name | Creator Deity | Method of Creation | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enki and Nammu | Enki, Nammu, and Ninmah | Clay figures shaped by divine hands | Earth + water = physical life |
| Enlil and the Grass | Enlil | Rain causes humans to sprout from soil | Nature, agriculture, divine rain |
| Myth of the Hoe | Enlil | Hoe breaks ground; humans emerge | Power of tools, civilization |
Another myth, called the Myth of the Hoe, adds even more layers to this agricultural theme.
It reflects how deeply the Sumerians connected their everyday life, farming, and gods into a single, unified view of the world.
Lord God (Enlil) May everything that is useful appear bright.
May the Lord whose determination of fate cannot affect.
May He hastened to separate the heavens from the earth, and he hastened to separate the earth from the heavens.
And then a document in Ozo-Mua The first human appeared.
and he dug He made a rip in the ground and in the area of Dur-an-ki and created the hoe, the day ended .
and he decided the duties of work and decided the fate .
And the handle of the hoe and the handle of the work are fixed. The glory of God.
The night is his hoe (that is, the one who created him) and he brought the hoe to (Uzo-Aya) and placed the beginnings of man in the cleft.And when humans began to appear like weeds from the earth.the god Enlil was at ease with his Sumerian people.and the god Alununa stood beside him.putting her hands on her mouths.
offering prayers to the god Enlil .and placing the hoe in The hands of the Sumerian people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Enlil in Sumerian mythology?
A1: Enlil is one of the chief gods in Sumerian mythology, associated with wind, air, and authority. He played a major role in creation myths and divine order.
Q2: How did Enlil create humans according to Sumerian myths?
A2: In one myth, Enlil caused humans to grow from cracks in the earth like grass after divine rain. In another, he used a hoe to break the ground and bring life forth.
Q3: What is the symbolism of humans growing from the earth?
A3: This symbolizes the connection between humanity and the land. It reflects agricultural cycles and divine influence over nature and fertility.
Q4: What is the Myth of the Hoe?
A4: The Myth of the Hoe is a Sumerian story where Enlil uses a divine hoe to shape the world and bring forth humans, emphasizing the sacredness of tools and labor.
Q5: How does Enlil’s creation myth differ from Enki’s?
A5: Enki created humans using clay and divine wisdom, while Enlil’s myths emphasize nature and force—such as rain and farming tools—to generate life.
Q6: Are there connections between these myths and later religious stories?
A6: Some scholars see symbolic parallels between these creation stories and later biblical themes of earth-born humans, divine breath, and life from soil.
Written by H. Moses
All rights reserved ©Mythology and History
References
- Black, Jeremy, and Anthony Green. Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary. London: British Museum Press, 1992.
- Dalley, Stephanie. Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
- Jacobsen, Thorkild. The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976.
- Leick, Gwendolyn. Mesopotamia: The Invention of the City. London: Penguin Books, 2001.
