6th grade has been studying the Mesopotamian Empire. This magnificent empire was the first to promulgate codified laws, sophisticated mathematics, sciences and commerce. Every year I introduce the language of these people to the students in the form of a creation myth called Enuma Elish. I have the students memorize the first seven lines of this creation myth. They typically do a fine job reciting it back to me.

I believe this activity is important as it allows the student's a unique insight into the people of this distant culture. They appreciate not only the differences in how they wrote and structured their language, but they encounter similarities, as well. Years after the student's have left Holy Family, they still remember the lines to this creation myth. Here is the myth in audio and written in romanized characters.



1) E-NU-MA E-LISH LA NA-BU-U SHA-MA-MU

2) SHAP-LISH AM-MA-TUM SHU-MA LA ZAK-RAT

3) AB-ZU-MA RESH-TU-U ZA-RU-SHU-UN

4) MU-UM-MU TI-AMAT MU-AL-LI-DAT GIM-RI-SHUN

5) A-MESH-SHU NU ISH-TEH-NISH I-HI-QU-U-MA

6) GI-PA-RA LA KI-ESC-SCU-RU SCU-SCA-A LA SHE-U-U

7) E-NU-MA DINGER DINGER LA SHA-PU-U MA-NA-MA

The literal translation follows:

1) WHEN ABOVE NOT NAMED HEAVEN

2) BELOW EARTH NOT TO BE PRONOUNCED

3) AND ABZU, THE ANCIENT ONE, FIRST BORN, THEIR BEGETTER

4) A MAKER WHO BORE THEM ALL

5) THE WATERS TOGETHER ALL MIXED UP

6) WHEN NOT FARMED PASTURES AND REEDBEDS UNSEARCHABLE

7) WHEN GODS NOT MANIFEST, NONE OF THEM