Explore the summary of the myth of Nanna’s Journey to Nibru, a.k.a. Nippur—a Sumerian myth of pilgrimage and blessings.
Nanna, the moon god, left Ur to visit Enlil in Nibru, also known as Nippur. He built a barge and filled it with gifts—animals, eggs, and fine goods. At each city he passed, goddesses welcomed him, but he sailed on. He reached Nippur and called Enlil’s gatekeeper. The gate opened with joy. Nanna offered gifts, and Enlil welcomed him with a feast. Nanna asked for blessings—fertile lands, full rivers, and long life. Enlil granted them all. Nanna returned home carrying divine gifts and peace for Ur.
Themes in Nanna’s Journey to Nippur
Genesis of Realms
- Nippur existed before the paradise land of Dilmun.
- It was described as a primeval, sacred city of the gods.
- Linked to the origins of divine order and space.
- Showed how places held eternal spiritual meaning.
Creatures and Companions
- Nanna raised animals as gifts for Enlil.
- Sheep, goats, and bulls symbolized his devotion.
- Creatures shared in the journey’s sacred purpose.
- Offerings reflected harmony between gods and living beings.
Main Characters in Nanna’s Journey to Nippur
Nanna (Sin, Suen, Ashgirbabbar)
- Moon god and protector of Ur.
- Son of Enlil and Ninlil.
- Built a barge filled with rich offerings.
- Refused to stop before reaching Nippur.
- Sought blessings for his people and land.
Enlil
- The supreme god of Sumer and ruler of Nippur.
- Father of Nanna and husband of Ninlil.
- Welcomed Nanna with food and warmth.
- Granted Nanna long life and prosperity.
Ninlil
- Goddess of air and mother of Nanna.
- She lived in Nippur beside Enlil.
- Greeted Nanna’s barge at Tummal.
- Shared in Nanna’s honored return.
Utu (Shamash)
- Sun god and judge of the gods.
- Rejoiced at Nanna’s noble mission.
- Supported the journey with divine favor.
Inanna (Ishtar)
- Goddess of love and war from Uruk.
- Brought offerings as Nanna passed by.
- She honored his goal, though he did not stop.
Sherida (Aya)
- Goddess of light and love from Larsa.
- Stepped out with blessings and flour.
- Witnessed Nanna’s devotion to Enlil.
Ninunuga (Gatumdug)
- Healing goddess of Shuruppag.
- Set out flour and bran for Nanna.
- Honored his sacred voyage.
Ningirida
- Local goddess of Enegir.
- Offered oil and flour to Nanna.
- Welcomed the moon god with grace.
Kalkal
- Gatekeeper of Enlil’s great house.
- Heard Nanna’s calls at the quay.
- Opened the gates with joy and praise.
Supporting Characters in Nanna’s Journey to Nippur
Bulls
- Gathered as powerful offerings for Enlil’s house.
- Symbolized strength and divine favor.
Sheep (Ewes and Rams)
- Produced lambs as gifts for Enlil.
- Represented wealth and fertility.
Goats (She-Goats and Bucks)
- Gave birth to kids for Enlil.
- Symbolized vitality and growth.
Cows (Calves)
- Delivered calves as sacred offerings.
- Showed agricultural blessing and abundance.
Turtles
- Collected from water as holy gifts.
- Carried meanings of life and fertility.
Small Birds (Ubi and Azagun)
- Gathered as delicate offerings.
- Symbolized peace and divine connection.
Long-Tailed Bush-Rats
- Rare creatures were offered for ritual use.
- Held mysterious symbolic value.
Suḫur Carp and Eštub Carp
- Presented as river blessings.
- Represented nourishment and life-giving waters.
Eggs
- Placed in baskets for Enlil.
- Emblem of new life and promise.
Wild Ram and Ibex
- Granted as blessings by Enlil.
- Embodied wilderness and divine strength.
Kuda Carp
- Offered as marsh gifts.
- Symbolized aquatic abundance.
Porcupines
- Included in Nanna’s unusual offerings.
- They may have held rare ritual meaning.
Old and Fresh Reed
- Thrived for Enlil’s benefit.
- Symbolized renewal and sacred growth.
Places in Nanna’s Journey to Nippur
Ur (Urim)
- The starting point of Nanna’s sacred journey.
- Home city and cult center of the moon god.
- Where offerings were prepared before departure.
Nippur (Nibru)
- The final destination of the journey.
- The spiritual center of Sumer and home of Enlil.
- City of divine blessings and sacred ritual.
Ekur
- Grand temple of Enlil in Nippur.
- Most important temple in Sumer.
- Where Nanna offered gifts and received blessings.
Surungal Canal
- Waterway used during the journey.
- The place where Nanna distributed his herds.
- Symbol of abundance and ritual passage.
Tummal
- Source of reeds for Nanna’s barge.
- Visited by Ninlil as Nanna sailed past.
- Important stop in the construction phase.
Abzu (Apsu)
- The mythical freshwater realm beneath the earth.
- Provided pitch for sealing Nanna’s barge.
- Sacred source of life and purity.
Enegir
- The city passed early on the journey.
- Greeted by the goddess Ningirida.
- Barge did not stop despite offerings.
Larsa (Larsam)
- A city blessed by the goddess Sherida.
- Nanna sailed past without stopping.
- Part of the ritual refusal to delay.
Uruk (Unug)
- The city where Inanna offered flour.
- Rich in mythic importance.
- Barge continued without pausing.
Shuruppag
- The city where Ninunuga appeared.
- Offered flour and bran to Nanna.
- Another station respectfully bypassed.
Dilmun
- Mythical paradise of purity and peace.
- Mentioned to praise Nippur’s ancient holiness.
- Symbolized timeless divine origins.
Nanna’s Journey to Nibru
The Journey Begins
Nanna longed to visit his father, Enlil, in Nippur.
He spoke of seeing both Enlil and his mother, Ninlil.
Nippur was ancient, sacred, and older than Dilmun.
Nanna built a barge from reeds, cedar, and pitch.
He gathered gifts: bulls, sheep, goats, birds, and fish.
He prepared baskets of eggs and offspring from his herds.
Animals gave birth as divine offerings for Enlil’s house.
The barge was loaded and set sail from Ur.
The Cities and the Refusals
When the barge reached Enegir, Ningirida offered flour and oil. Nanna refused, saying, “I am going to Nibru!”
At Larsa, Sherida came out with a feast and blessings. The barge sailed on, bound for Nippur.
In Uruk, Inanna greeted the barge with sacred gifts. Again, Nanna refused and continued upstream.
At Shuruppag, Ninunuga made offerings of flour and bran. The barge did not stop, focused on its holy mission.
Near Tummal, Ninlil herself welcomed the boat with honor. However, Nanna, unwavering, continued his pilgrimage to Enlil.
Arrival at the Shining Quay
Nanna reached the shining quay at Nippur’s sacred port.
He called loudly to the gatekeeper, Kalkal.
He listed the offerings aboard his barge: bulls, lambs, birds.
He pleaded for the gate to open again and again.
Kalkal rejoiced and opened the gates for Nanna.
Enlil welcomed his son with food and drink.
A great feast began in Enlil’s temple, Ekur.
The Blessings Requested
Nanna thanked Enlil for the food and warm welcome.
He asked for prosperity for Ur and the lands beyond.
He requested barley, rivers full of fish, and wild sheep.
He asked for fruit, wine, and a long life for himself.
Enlil granted all his son’s wishes with joy.
Return to Ur with Divine Gifts
Nanna returned to Ur, blessed by his father.
Rivers flowed with fish, and fields grew full of barley.
Reeds filled the marshes, and forests held wild game.
Orchards bore syrup and wine, and life flourished.
Enlil gave Nanna a long life and lasting joy.
Praise was given to Enlil and to great mother, Ninlil.
Find More Sumerian Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Nanna-Suen’s journey to Nibru (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2003)
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021) pages 46-47
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019) page 16