Lahar is a pastoral goddess of sheep, flocks and wool in ancient Mesopotamia. Throughout the year various deities are invoked to keep livestock safe from disease or attack, or guard the grain from pestilence.
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Others include the shepherd god Shumugan (Šumugan) and Ninkilim, Lord Rodent. These two gods are also patrons of wild animals and can be called upon as protection from creatures destructive to the harvest, or predators attacking the flocks.
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In Akkadian her name means 'ewe' or female sheep. Sheep are first domesticated in c. 8800 BCE. They're a source of milk, mutton, cheese, butter and yogurt, as well as fleeces. Despite early domestication of sheep, people don't wear wool garments until c. 4000 BCE.
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Wool fabric makes its appearance after a period of animal husbandry, during which sheep are selectively bred to produce wool long enough for spinning. Prior to wool, long fibers of flax are hand-processed, spun and woven into linen, the most ancient of all fabrics.
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Lahar is another god/dess whose gender changes depending on when and where she's invoked. She bears the title "Lord Wool", a name also attributed to the god Ninsig.
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Lahar is considered to originate in the Abzu (Apzu), underground waters of creation. Similarly from the Apzu arises Ashnan, a goddess or personification of grain or wheat.
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In the myth of the Debate Between Ewe and Wheat, Lahar represents the ewe. The original text comes from the Udug Hul incantation series. Udug Hul means Evil Udug, a class of underworld wind demons.
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One day the two deities are sitting around drinking beer, a beverage much beloved by the ancient Mesopotamians. Thinking of the humans at work far below, the women get into an argument.
Grain goddess Ashnan insists she's more important to humans. From grains they can make cereal, bread, cakes and beer. Lahar the flock goddess says she's the most important. The humans get dairy products and fleece from her generosity.
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Their yelling wakes up the God Enlil. They demand a divine judgment. On the advice of Enki (Ea), Enlil chooses the grain goddess Ashnan, and goes back to sleep.
In another myth, Lahar is a god. He's the son of Shumugan, a shepherd god especially associated with donkeys and mules. His mother is the personified sea. From their mythical union steps forth Lahar.
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Lahar kills his father and marries his mother the sea. With her he has a son of unknown name, who may or may not be a divine shepherd called Gayu. Regardless of gender, Lahar is not known to have a consort.
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