June Peters, a Zipang storyteller, has co-written and published a captivating new book exploring the rich world of Mesopotamian Myths and Legends.
Babylon & Sumer Myths & Legends
Author Fiona Collins, June Peters
Intro by Martin WorthingtonCategory: Fiction
Series: Flame Tree Collector’s EditionsTales from a crucible of civilization – the pocket between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers where language, astronomy, religion and mythology grew from some of the earliest cultures known to humankind. Undiscovered until 200 years ago, the stories, hymns and ancient king lists of Sumer and Babylon reveal a rich culture of city states, each with their own gods and tales of floods, adventures, the heavens and the netherworld. From myths of creation and love, and tales of Nisaba (Goddess of Writing) and Inana (or Ishtar), to stories of Everyday Folk and the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, this brand new collection offers lively and evocative tales retold by contemporary storytellers Fiona Collins and June Peters, and introduced by expert Professor Martin Worthington.
PAST EVENT
A Mesopotamian Evening
The P21 Gallery, 21-27 Charlton Street, London, NW1 1JD
Saturday, 25th October, 6:00 PM
The event comprised of three performances – one in Arabic, one in English, and one in Arabic and English.
The first performance was Badia Obaid’s ‘The First Ever Female Poet’—the story of Enheduanna, priestess of the Moon God and daughter to Sargon, king of Akkad. In around 2300 BCE, Enheduanna wrote hymns in the Sumerian language which document (or documented) her devotion to the goddess Ishtar at a time of civil war and unrest. This performance (Enheduanna) was a world premiere.
The second performance was June Peters’ ‘Innana and Ebih.’ It had similarities to the 42 poems ascribed to Enheduanna.
The last performance was the ‘Dialogue of Pessimism’—a literary dialogue between an indecisive master and his not-so-helpful servant. The master proposed a series of ventures with which the servant agreed—but then the master changed his mind and the servant purported to support him. This performance had previously been performed at the Iraqi Business Council in Amman for an audience including a member of the Jordanian Royal Family. The end had a wonderful sting in the tail which always went down well with audiences.
The evening lasted about an hour and was accompanied by the beautiful harp music of Tara Jaff. The Enheduanna Society would like to thank everyone who attended the event.
