# Enheduana: Voicing the Feminine Divine - A Movement of Ancient Insight and Modern Interpretation December 21, 2023 On the evening of December 12, 2023, the James room at Harvard Divinity School's Swartz Hall played host to the engaging and thought-provoking event, "Enheduana: Voicing the Feminine Divine." Attracting an audience of close to 200 in person and over zoom, the evening’s presentations and world premiere performance explored the literary contributions and religious history of Enheduana, the earliest known poet, author and high priestess to Inana, the goddess of war, sex, change and destruction in the ancient Sumerian city-state of Ur. Professor Charles M. Stang, Director of the Center for the Study of World Religions (CSWR), began the event with introductions and gratitude for each of the presenters and musicians, namely Céline Debourse and Dr. Sophus Helle, and performers, including Anne Harley, Douglas Knehans, Evan Ziporyn, Maggie Finnegan, Gabby Diaz, Amy Advocat, and Matt Sharrock. Stang revealed his personal journey of discovery into the world of Enheduana, inspired by Anne Harley whose scholarship features women who dare to encounter the divine unmediated and break societal norms in their commitments to the transcendent. Stang’s interest in Enheduana was further ignited through a visit to the 2023 Morgan Library exhibit in New York City, “She Who Wrote: Enheduana and Women of Mesopotamia.” Sidney Babcock, the Morgan Library exhibit's curator and an expert in ancient Mesopotamian art, has been instrumental in bringing to light the significant contributions of Enheduana. Transporting the audience back to a time centuries before Homer, Stang underlined Enheduana’s role as a trailblazer in literature, intertwining religious devotion with poetic mastery, particularly in her worship of the goddess Inana, later known as Ishtar in the Babylonian era. Céline Debourse, Assistant Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, followed with a presentation titled "Women in Mesopotamian Temples: Priestesses, Votaresses, Weavers." She showcased the multifaceted roles women played in the socio-economic and religious spheres of ancient Mesopotamian temples through the lives of three notable figures: Awat-Aya, a nadītum whose responsibilities pertained to the religious and administrative; Ishtar-beli-d'ini, a votaress dedicated to spiritual service and religious rites; and Muranātu, a temple linen weaver. Debourse's exploration not only illuminated the significant contributions of Awat-Aya, Ishtar-beli-d'ini, and Muranātu, but also accentuated the importance of recognizing and appreciating the often-overlooked and unidentified contributions of women in the historical record, echoing Enheduana’s own complex legacy. Céline drew her talk to a close with a poignant reading of Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s “Instructions to make a marionette”, a poem symbolizing the emergence of women from historical obscurity and silence, punctuating the scholar’s role in bringing these undrawn women to light. ![Event Performers facing audience after performance](/sites/g/files/omnuum4346/files/hds_cswr/files/enheduanaevent.photo_.ensembleall.png) *Remember this lesson: in every page there are undrawn women, each waiting in her own particular silence. -*Doireann Ní Ghríofa Dr. Sophus Helle, a noted writer, translator, and cultural historian, presented "Introducing Enheduana’s World: Grief and Gender." His talk explored the transformative power of ancient literature, bringing to the fore Enheduana's role in shaping narratives that transcended mere storytelling to engage profoundly with the divine. Helle's analysis of Enheduana's life and legacy focused on her historical significance, revered status during the Sumerian period revival, and resurgence in the contemporary era. He underscored the timeless nature of Enheduana's poetry, which not only glorified Inana but also engaged the goddess’ the pilipili, a third gender expression in ancient Sumeria. The highlight of the event was the world premiere of *To the Stars* (2023), a suite in five movements inspired by Enheduana's hymns and written by composer Douglas Knehans. Conducted by Evan Ziporyn and performed by Maggie Finnegan (*Soprano 1*), Anne Harley (*Soprano 2*), Gabby Diaz (*Violin*), Amy Advocat (*Bass clarinet*), and Matt Sharrock (*Percussion*), the piece was an homage to women's bold encounters with the divine, blending ancient melodies with contemporary musical expressions, including influences from the late Renaissance, early Baroque, and contemporary jazz. During the reception which followed the ensemble’s stunning performance, both David Hempton, former Dean of the Faculty of Divinity at HDS, and Paula Ortiz, a HDS MDiv candidate, shared their reflections. Hempton noted how the beautiful music and presentations led the audience through a humanizing and illuminating journey into the historical and cultural record. Hempton emphasized the evening’s impact, remarking, “Now I’m hooked–I’d love to know more.” Ortiz described the evening as, “...deeply evocative, contemplative and energizing! It is a gift to have experiences that bring you to an altered state and offer a door to a different time/space, even if for a moment. \[...\] I left the building feeling like I was floating and yet anchored to an ancestral power. That feeling has been lingering since.” "Enheduana: Voicing the Feminine Divine" was an immersive exploration into the heart of ancient civilization, a celebration of the feminine divine, and a testament to the enduring power of art and literature. The event stood as a reminder of the perennial insights and inspirations that historical narratives and cultural expressions can offer contemporary audiences in transcending spatio-temporal borders. Story by Tristan Angieri, HDS MDiv Candidate, CSWR Research Assistant See also:- [ CSWR ](/media-topic/cswr) - [ Musical performance ](/topic-tags/musical-performance) - [ Transcendence and Transformation ](/programming-threads/transcendence-and-transformation)