Kumarbi is an ancient power, the King of the Gods. He's also a god of prosperity and grain. His symbols include an ear of corn. Though he once rules the stormy heights as a supreme being, in the near east Bronze Age he dwells in the depths of the Underworld.
See: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure
The worship of Kumarbi enters the pantheons of other religions. He's equated other Kings of Gods such as Dagan of the Canaanites.
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Castrating one's kin for leadership isn't a new concept, as young Gods rise to take over the realms of their elders. The castration or disempowerment myth of Kumarbi finds a later Greek equivalent in the castration of Uranus with a sickle by his son, the Titan Saturn. Saturn then takes the throne.
In Hurrian mythology, Kumarbi bites off and swallows the testicles of Anu, Sky and Creator God. Thus he becomes the 'mother' of Storm God Teshub. When Kumarbi's skull is split, Teshub rises form his head.
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A Hurrian hymn proclaims:
You are the strong one, which I (praise), the bull calf of Anu! You are the strong one, which I (praise), your father Anu begot you, your mother Kumarbi brought you to life. For the city of Aleppo I summon him, Teššop (Teshub), for the pure throne
Brothers and sisters of Teshub also arise from the mother god's split skull. They include the river Tigris and the war god Tašmišu. A similiar motif is the Goddess Athena born fully formed from the head of Zeus.
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Youngest son of the Titan Saturn and Goddess Rhea, infant Zeus is hidden by his mother after Saturn eats the older siblings. Upon manhood Zeus forces Saturn to regurgitate the gods he ate.
They include the major Olympians such as Apollo and Aphrodite. He also castrates and desposes his father Saturn to rise to the throne as King of the Gods, and there he stays today.
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Castration and sacrifice are common themes in God cycles and Earth based religion (in which sacrificial blood or semen fertilizes the earth). Kumarbi appears in the pantheons and god lists of neighboring and occupying people, showing him widespread respect as a King of Gods.
In Hurrian religion, Kumarbi is certain his children will destroy him. He's right. He becomes a lethal enemy of Teshub and other offspring.
Teshub banishes Kumarbi and the Old Gods to the Hurrian Underworld. Though Kumarbi dwells in the Realm of the Dead and connects with life/death/rebirth cycles, he's not specifically an Underworld God.
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As a fertility figure Kumarbi can nourish the Earth from below. If annoyed he might poison it instead. He holds dominion over drought and blight, so it's vital to give him the offering(s) due his rank. Since 1st millennium BCE he's also a God of prosperity.
Kumarbi gives birth to the stone giant Ullikummi, the sea serpent Ḫedammu (Hedammu) and other creatures in an effort to oust Teshub. Although he's often depicted as an old man he retains considerable influence, rank and power.
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The first mention of Kumarbi comes from c. 23rd century BCE in Urkesh, northeast Syria. He becomes widely worshipped throughout the realm. He features in multiple written myths, many focused on his ongoing battle with Teshub.
In the 18th century BCE Kumarbi is equated with other Gods of kingly rank including Dagan of the Syrians, Enlil of Mesophotamia, and father god El of Ugarit. His father is said to be the primordial figure Alalu. His consort, Shalash, is tutelary Goddess of the middle Euphrates region.
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Hurrian accounts call Kumarbi the 'father of the gods'. He's often portrayed as old, weak and deposed by Teshub. His importance as a God isn't necessarily affected but the image illustrates the story of the God cycle.
The Hittite 'star of Kumarbi' is identified as planet Saturn. Although Kumarbi lives in the Land of the Dead, the main Hurrian Underworld deity is the Goddess Allani.
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Kumarbi holds influence over groundwater, or water emerging from beneath the ground, similar to the Ugaritic Goddess Asray. In an incantation or Hurrian hymn, water from a spring under Kumarbi's throne reaches the head of the Sun goddess of the Earth.
Like other major Mesopotamian and near eastern Gods, Kumarbi has a sukkal, vizier or servant who attends the God and delivers messages upstairs. When sacrificing to Kumarbi it's important to give the sukkal due respect, as he can influence decisions.
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Kumarbi's sukkal is Mukišānu, a tutelary god whose name means "from Mukiš", an affluent settlement in the mid-late Bronze Age. Usually the sukkal is the same gender as the God/dess being worshipped. Sukkals can also be non-sexual, hermaphroditic or androgynous.
Each sukkal may have a personal temple. If the God/dess isn't listening to pleas or prayers, or only priests and initates are allowed in the main temple, one can visit the sukkal.
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