A Sumerian Named Ludingirra
I started a book so interesting that I had to write about it before I finished it. My father gave it to me, and it's written by Muazzez Ilmiye Cig, a 93 year archeologist (seen in the picture) who's spent her entire life studying the Sumerians. In the preface of the book, she mentions that some 40-50 years ago archeologists find a broken Sumerian tablet with the following written on it:
"The life story of Ludingirra - Tablet 20"
The promise of finding the diary of somebody who lived in 4000 BC took the world of archeology by storm, and after decades of relentless research, they found all 23 tablets describing Ludingirra's life. The book I am reading is the translation of these 23 tablets.
It's the diary of somebody who lived 6000 years ago. I have never read anything like it. How was his life? Were his concerns similar to ours today? What did they do most of the time? I think this is fascinating. I haven't finished the book yet, but I'll quickly translate for you the first and last sentences of Tablet 1. I bet none of you have ever read the personal account of somebody who lived so so long ago. Here it goes
"WHY AM I WRITING THESE STORIES
I am a Sumerian teacher, poet and author. Since I am 75 years old, I quit teaching long time ago; but I think I'll be a poet and author until I die.
I started writing my life story for the future generations. Our nation, our language, our traditions, our social life, our art is getting forgotten....
...Our civilization perhaps will influence people living 1000s of years from now. They will put new foundations on the ones we started. Oh! I hope they can remember us and thank us for the culture we're leaving behind.
Ludingirra's life Tablet 1"
This is very interesting and powerful stuff. I am barely into Tablet 3, and already I can see some big similarities and differences to our lives today. I tried to find an English version of the book on Google but had no luck. If somebody can find it, please let us know. Rarely do you get a chance to take such deep, penetrating yet personal look into a life that passed six thousand years ago.
...interesting to note that he lists culture, traditions, and art...nothing on religion...sumerians are supposed to be really into their gods...
by the way, he must have had a good life if he made it to 75 back then! i wonder what he ate.
Posted by: yalin | March 17, 2007 at 02:32 PM
I can relate to the passion you describe reading through the life story of someone who lived so long ago.
It's amazing.
Can you please let me know where I can get the book?
Thanks
Posted by: Itamar Shamshins | March 17, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Itamar,
The book is in Turkish and can be found at
http://www.pandora.com.tr/urun.asp?id=29466
I looked to find an English version on Google but couldn't.
Yalin,
75 is amazing isn't it. I thought people in that era lived to 30ish.
As for spirituality, there is a lot of it. Almost everything in the first few chapters are about their gods. The amount of time they spend on worship would make the most pious guy in our age look uninvolved.
More to come on the book.
Posted by: Baris Karadogan | March 17, 2007 at 02:56 PM
Wow! This sounds awesome. Hopefully there will be an English version at some point.
Posted by: Kevin Dewalt | March 19, 2007 at 04:51 AM
I heard from the author that this book is being translated right now into English and that she hopes it will be published in the USA.
Reuben
Posted by: Reuben Kincaid | April 02, 2007 at 06:18 AM
I you hear of an english version one day I'd appreciate a pointer. You have my email.
Thanks!
Posted by: Itamar Shamshins | April 06, 2007 at 04:43 AM