èš-èš – Moon festivals
They are the days “when they serve the clear beer endlessly like water” as Sumerians sing in a hymn to Šulgi ! The coming of the first crescent marks the start of the month. It is always a popular, joyful (and reassuring) night for the Sumerians. The full moon night around the middle of the month is the occasion for big parties everywhere. In between, there is another ceremony, around the 7th day of the month, for the first quarter. So in all cities, there are three festivals in the first half of the month: ud-sakar (the first crescent), ud 7-kam (the first quarter) and ud 15-kam (the Full Moon).
Go to Eridu if you want to avoid those events!
Good question...
What a lovely evening!
When is the moon coming back?
Moon festivals in Eridu
They are not popular in Eridu, where people so reluctantly bear Ur dominion, and are still too fond of their own god, Enki. Occasionally, there are small street-feasts in New Town. But more often, families organise private feasts at home with close relatives and friends in order not to provoke the old Eridish. If you want to escape the Moon Festivals in Ur, go to Eridu for the full moon!!
Visit Eridu!
Confusion around ud-sakar (first crescent)
ud-sakar is one of the most popular moon festivals, and sometimes the most improvised one. Indeed, the first crescent is difficult to observe so that the ceremonies at the temple may be announced at the very last minute in the city. If that happens, just follow the rush to the temple to attend the ceremony!!
Incidentally, the confusion also affects the beginning of the month!
Get familiar with the Sumerian calendar!
The full moon festival in Ur
Attending ud-15-kam or the Full Moon festival in Ekišnugal, the temple of the moon god in Ur, is tempting and truly a grandiose experience. However, the temple is very crowded on those days (not always easy to find a nice ‘seat’) and access can be expensive. Better book in advance if you would like to do that.
Attend a moon festival in Ur
Moon festivals in the city of the moon god
The moon festivals are especially fancy in the city of Ur, the city of the Moon God, but those in Uruk and Nippur are also grand events.In Ur and Uruk, processions and ceremonies are usually led by a member of the royal family, the queen, the crown-prince or the en-priestess (who is a daughter of the king). In Ur or Uruk, the king himself sometimes takes part to the Full Moon ceremony, usually in Month 1 or 7 when it coincides with the akiti-festivals.
Enjoy the moon festivals in Ur!
èš-èš – Moon festivals
Marie Besnier
Created on March 18, 2026
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Microlearning: Graphic Design
View
Microlearning: Enhance Your Wellness and Reduce Stress
View
Microlearning: Teaching Innovation with AI
View
Microlearning: Design Learning Modules
View
Video: Responsible Use of Social Media and Internet
View
Mothers Days Card
View
Momentum: First Operational Steps
Explore all templates
Transcript
èš-èš – Moon festivals
They are the days “when they serve the clear beer endlessly like water” as Sumerians sing in a hymn to Šulgi ! The coming of the first crescent marks the start of the month. It is always a popular, joyful (and reassuring) night for the Sumerians. The full moon night around the middle of the month is the occasion for big parties everywhere. In between, there is another ceremony, around the 7th day of the month, for the first quarter. So in all cities, there are three festivals in the first half of the month: ud-sakar (the first crescent), ud 7-kam (the first quarter) and ud 15-kam (the Full Moon).
Go to Eridu if you want to avoid those events!
Good question...
What a lovely evening!
When is the moon coming back?
Moon festivals in Eridu
They are not popular in Eridu, where people so reluctantly bear Ur dominion, and are still too fond of their own god, Enki. Occasionally, there are small street-feasts in New Town. But more often, families organise private feasts at home with close relatives and friends in order not to provoke the old Eridish. If you want to escape the Moon Festivals in Ur, go to Eridu for the full moon!!
Visit Eridu!
Confusion around ud-sakar (first crescent)
ud-sakar is one of the most popular moon festivals, and sometimes the most improvised one. Indeed, the first crescent is difficult to observe so that the ceremonies at the temple may be announced at the very last minute in the city. If that happens, just follow the rush to the temple to attend the ceremony!!
Incidentally, the confusion also affects the beginning of the month!
Get familiar with the Sumerian calendar!
The full moon festival in Ur
Attending ud-15-kam or the Full Moon festival in Ekišnugal, the temple of the moon god in Ur, is tempting and truly a grandiose experience. However, the temple is very crowded on those days (not always easy to find a nice ‘seat’) and access can be expensive. Better book in advance if you would like to do that.
Attend a moon festival in Ur
Moon festivals in the city of the moon god
The moon festivals are especially fancy in the city of Ur, the city of the Moon God, but those in Uruk and Nippur are also grand events.In Ur and Uruk, processions and ceremonies are usually led by a member of the royal family, the queen, the crown-prince or the en-priestess (who is a daughter of the king). In Ur or Uruk, the king himself sometimes takes part to the Full Moon ceremony, usually in Month 1 or 7 when it coincides with the akiti-festivals.
Enjoy the moon festivals in Ur!