Sumerians: The Original Party Animals

The Sumerians were the original party animals of ancient Mesopotamia. Living in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, these lively people knew how to have a good time.

One of the Sumerians’ favorite pastimes was beer brewing. It’s no surprise that they were experts at it, as they practically worshipped the goddess of beer, Ninkasi. The Sumerians were so enthusiastic about their brew that they even created a hymn to her: “Ninkasi, you are the one who pours out the filtered beer of the collector-vat. It is [like the] onrush of Tigris and Euphrates.”

But the Sumerians weren’t just about drinking, they were also big on music and dance. They loved to celebrate their gods and goddesses with lively performances. Their instruments included a lyre, a double-reed pipe, and a drum.

In fact, the Sumerians loved dancing so much, they even incorporated it into their religious beliefs. Their high priestess, also known as the “En Priestess,” was required to perform a dance called the “Sacred Marriage.” This was a symbolic dance between the fertility goddess Inanna and her consort, the shepherd-god Dumuzid.

Aside from partying, the Sumerians were also among the first to build cities and develop a system of writing. We have them to thank for the development of the earliest known form of writing, called cuneiform, which was impressed onto clay tablets using a stylus.

Despite their fun-loving ways, the Sumerians were not to be underestimated. They built impressive, defensive walls around their cities and were skilled warriors. They even created some of the first forms of law and government.

In conclusion, the Sumerians were a people who knew how to have a good time. Their love of beer, dance, and music made them the original party animals of Mesopotamia. And yet, they were also innovators in architecture, writing, and governance. So, next time you raise a glass of cold beer or get your groove on, remember to give thanks to the Sumerians – the life of the party and the pioneers of civilization!