Ḏušarē

Ḏušarē, (Nabataean Arabic: 𐢅𐢈𐢝𐢛𐢀‎ dwšrʾ) also transliterated as Dushara, is a pre-Islamic Arabian god worshipped by the Nabataeans at Raqmu (Petra) and Hegra (Madain Saleh) (of which city he was the patron). Safaitic inscriptions imply he was the son of Allat, and that he assembled in the heavens with other gods. He is called "Ḏušarē from Petra" in one inscription. Ḏušarē was expected to bring justice if called by the correct ritual.

Etymology

Ḏušarē is known first from epigraphic Nabataean sources who invariably spell the name dwsrʾ, the Nabataean script denoting only consonants. He appears in Classical Greek sources Δουσάρης (Dousárēs) and in Latin as Dusares. The original meaning is disputed, but early Muslim historian Ibn al-Kalbi in his "Book of Idols" explains the name as Dhū l-Šarā (Arabic: ذو الشرى), meaning likely "The One from Shara", Shara being a mountain range south-east of the Dead Sea. If this interpretation is correct, Dushara would be more of a title than a proper name, but both the exact form of the name and its interpretation are disputed.

Worship

In Greek times, he was associated with Zeus because he was the chief of the Nabataean pantheon as well as with Dionysus.

A shrine to Ḏušarē has been discovered in the harbour of ancient Puteoli in Italy. The city was an important nexus for trade to the Near East, and it is known to have had a Nabataean presence during the mid 1st century BCE. The cult continued in some capacity well into the Roman period and possibly as late as the Islamic period.[5]

This deity was mentioned by the 9th century CE Muslim historian Hisham Ibn Al-Kalbi, who wrote in The Book of Idols (Kitab al-Asnām) that: "The Banū al-Hārith ibn-Yashkur ibn-Mubashshir of the ʻAzd had an idol called Ḏušarē."

Safaitic inscriptions mention animal sacrifices to Ḏušarē, asking for a variety of services.

Birth of Ḏušarē

From Panarion of Epiphanius, a 4th century Palestinian monk. First he speaks about the Temple of Kore in Alexandria, and then he speaks about the birth of Dushara in Petra and in Elusa:

"First in Alexandria in the Koreion as they call it – a very large temple, the precinct of Kore (Isis). All night long they keep vigil, chanting to their idol with songs and flutes. The nocturnal service over, at cock-crow torch-bearers go down into an underground chamber and bring up a wooden image, sitting naked on a litter, with the imprint of a golden cross on its forehead, two similar imprints on its hands, and other two on its knees, all told, five golden marks impressed upon it. They carry the image itself seven times round the central part of the temple with flutes, timberls and hymns. And after the procession they bring it down again to its underground quarters. If asked what they mean by this mystery, they make answer: This day and hour Kore (that is, the Virgin), has given birth to Aion (a personification of time).

Again, at Petra, the metropolis of Arabia, that is the Edom mentioned in the Scriptures, in the idol-house there the same thing takes place. They hymn the virgin in the speech of Arabia, calling her in Arabic Chaamou, that is “Kore”, or “Virgin,” and her offspring Dousares, that is “Only-begotten of the Lord.”In the town of Elousa also the same thing takes place that night as happens there in Petra and Alexandria."

See also

• 'Asēt (Isis)
• Allāt
• Alʿuzza
• Baʿal Samay (Baʿalšamīn)
• Šayʿhaqqawm
• Hellenization
• The Pantheon of Petra

Sources

• The many faces of Dushara – A Critical Review of the Evidence
• The Seven Stars, Allāt from ʿmn and Dusares from Rqm: A new Safaitic astronomical text
• The Religion of the Nabataeans: A Conspectus
• NABATAEAN FERTILITY MYTH, PLACE, TIME, RITUALS AND ACTORS BASED ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
• Piecing Together the Religion of the Nabataeans
• The Religion and Rituals of the Nomads of Pre-Islamic Arabia

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