Baba
Sumerian goddess of healing, abundance, and protection (also transliterated Bau), daughter of An, consort of Ningirsu, and tutelary mother goddess of Girsu in the city-state of Lagash.
Core Themes
- Divine physician ("Mistress of Abundance") closely associated with the healing goddess Gula and dog iconography.
- Honored in the annual sacred marriage and New Year festival alongside Ningirsu at Lagash.
Related Concepts & Sources
Ningirsu (consort at Lagash),
Gula (healing goddess),
Lagash (cult center),
Patron Deities (civic role)
Assyriological Record
- Authority
- University of Pennsylvania (Oracc)
- Cuneiform Corpora
- 4 attested
- Bibliography
- 6 citations
Scholarly entry: Baba (goddess), Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses (Oracc, University of Pennsylvania).
Attestations in Cuneiform Corpora
References
- Bauer, J. 1998. "Der vorsargonische Abschnitt der mesopotamischen Geschichte." In Mesopotamien. Späturuk- und Frühdynastische Zeit , ed. J. Bauer, R.K. Englund, and M. Krebernik. Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis, 160/1, pp. 431-564. Freiburg: Universitätsverlag.
- Marchesi, G. 2002. "On the divine name d Ba.Ú." Orientalia 71 : 161-172.
- Richter, T. 2004. Untersuchungen zu den lokalen Panthea Süd- und Mittelbabyloniens in altbabylonischer Zeit. 2., verbesserte und erweiterte Auflage. Alter Orient und Altes Testament, 257. Münster: Ugarit-Verlag.
- Rubio, G. 2010. "Reading Sumerian names, I: Ensuḫkešdanna and Baba." Journal of Cuneiform Studies 62 : 29-42.
- Sallaberger, W. 1993. Der kultische Kalender der Ur III Zeit. Untersuchungen zur Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Archäologie, 7/1-2. Berlin: de Gruyter.
- Selz, G. 1995. Untersuchungen zur Götterwelt des altsumerischen Stadtstaates von Lagaš . Occasional Publications of the Samuel Noah Kramer Fund, 13. Philadelphia: The University of Pennsylvania Museum.