The ceremonies in ancient Mesopotamia

Human being who couldn?t explain natural events or when they?re afraid, believed in something stonger than themselves, created a polytheist system as they couldn?t think that whole universe could be managed by one single Allah. These ancient Mesopotamia societies who had different kinds of gods, graduated them by imagining them as human beings. They believed that these gods regulated natural events and they could decide on what was going to happen in future. As a result of that, people arrenged ceremonies and gave sacrificies to satisfy them. Besides, since the creation of human being prophets have sent to these societies and it should be admitted that a monotheist system existed locally.As Mesopotamia societies thought that their gods were alike human being, they arranged ceremonies to give them food in a day. We know that Sumerians had many festivals such as ?Month of eating Ningirsu?s barley? and ?Month of Sulgi festival?. But we couldn?t achieve a sufficient knowledge about these festivals? details as a result of research we carried out. of all festivals Mesopotamia societies arranged, the most important one is New Year Festival.Myths which have a crucial function, regulates and reinforces the religion. Many kinds of myths have a relationship with rituals. New Year Festival which had an important role in ancient socities is based on a Sumerian myth. The holly marriage between Dumuzi and Inanna was celebrated by ceremonies in which king and the religional leader of women participated since Sumerians.Ancient societies, felt despair for God?s going subterranean since it was interpreted as drought and famine. At the same time they were happy for God?s going on earth as they belieaved that it brought wealth and abundance. This event which is also explained as coming of spring is celebrated by modern societies as Nauruz.Among the ceremonies arrenged in temples, one of the most important one is the ritual of opening and cleaning the mouth. In opening mouth ceremony, delicious and good smelling foods were put in the mouth of the icon of the god to satisfy him. Cleaning the mouth was carried out by pouring a water which was enriched by special cleaning materials into the icon?s mouth. It was believed that with the ritual of cleaning the mouth or M?s pî, god?s spirit filled the spirit of the icon. When the icon was away, festivals weren?t arrenged. For this reeason, icons were abducted from time to time to make other regions submit as a political tool.Key Words1. Mesopotamia2. Bairam3. Sacrifice4. God5. Ak?tu