Also known as the Storm God of Nerik, or by the names Nerak or Nerikkil, the Weather God protects the town, and in turn the people compose odes of praise and offer sacrifices to him. In the ancient near East, especially to the south in Mesopotamia, many believe humans are created to serve the Gods.
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Local gods and goddesses are common in ancient Anatolia and environs during the Bronze Age. Organized religion includes god lists, offering lists or kaluti, defining each entity's hierarchal place, city or sphere of influence, consorts who must be honored. Sukkals or attendants and associated dieties or entities also require offerings.
People like the Hittites in Anatolia were fond of picking up the occasional god or goddess from nearby cultures. Although the Hittites have warrior blood they also have the smarts to know the benefits of assimilation over forced conquest.
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Many of their gods are influenced by the Hattic culture assimilated by the Hittites, and the nearby Hurrians. According to the Hittites, the Storm God of Nerik is the son of Wurusemu, the Sun Goddess of Arinna.
She protects the territories of the Hittites, and is sometimes called 'queen of all the lands.' Along with the Sun Goddess of Arinna, the people pray to the Sun Goddess of the Earth and Sun God of Heaven.
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The Weather God of Nerik is associated with nearby Mount Zaliyanu. He's responsible for delegating rain for the local crops such as barley and wheat. Although Tarhannu is the overall storm God of the near East Anatolian region, the Weather God of Nerik has great power in his sacred city.
Located in north central Anatolia the site of Nerik is identified as Oymaağaç Höyük, on the east shore of the Kızılırmak (Red) River. Ancient Hittite tablets help identity the town. It's prime raiding and looting domain for the mountain people, Kaska, Kashka or Kaskians, who control the southern coast of the Black Sea.
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Kaska are weavers and swine keepers, but better known as fearsome raiders and mercenaries. Kaskian culture is a loose but lethal organization of tribes and clan groups. In the 15th and 14th centuries BCE the Kaskians push through the barricades and occupy the city of Nerik.
Writings from Hattusa attest:
"Because the men of Kaška have taken the land of Nerik for themselves, we are continually sending the rituals for the Storm God in Nerik and for the gods of Nerik from Ḫattuša in the city of Ḫakmišša, (namely) thick-breads, libations, oxen, and sheep."
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Nerik was founded as Narak by Hattians who occupied the area before the Hittites moved in. A Hattic incantation (spell, charm, prayer) for a festival, Purulli, has been found there. After their occupation the Hittites maintain the festival, a spring celebraton to honor the Storm God of Nerik and the Earth Mother Goddess Hannahanna.
The festival also centers on the story of Illuyanka the dragon serpent, and how he is slain by Tarḫunz the sky god (equated to sky god Hittite sky god Tarḫunna and Hurrian Teshub). Two different versions of the story exist, one more gory than the other, and Tarḫunz slays Illuyanka either way.
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When Kaskians occupy Nerik, the Hittites move the Puruli festival to Hattusa, their capital to the south. The later King Hattusili recaptures the city Nerik from the Kaska to build up again. By c. 1187 BCE, Nerik comes to an end along with the rest of the Hittite Empire.
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