Mental Disability (?): On the Akkadian Word Lillu

Year 2018, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 49 - 70, 17.08.2018

Gökhan Kağnıcı

https://doi.org/10.1501/Archv_0000000145

Cited By: 1

Abstract

            Cuneiform
scripts of the ancient Mesopotamia include information also about
mental-cognitive problems of the people. However, since they are not in a
well-designed text type, these pieces of information are dispersed and theyi
are mostly encountered among the lines. Moreover, it is not always simple to
comprehend what problems Sumerian and Akkadian words refer to, which are
thought to be related with mental problems, and what the levels of these health
problems are. Grounding on the usages of Sumerian LÚ.LIL and Akkadian
lillu/lillatu words in mainly literary and mythological texts, the article will
focus on what kind of a mental problem this word refers to. Additionally, the
context usages and purposes of this word in the texts will be dwelled on. In
this way, how the people, who are defined as lillu, are perceived in the
community will be put forth in general terms. It will be tried to manifest that
although the word is used together with physical disabilities in many texts, it
is used by a certain fraction of the community to define the individuals who
are different regarding demeanor and temperament, rather than a mental
disability or an illness.

Keywords

Ancient Mesopotamia, Lillu, Mental Disabilities, Disabled Individuals

Mental Disability (?): On the Akkadian Word Lillu

Abstract

              Eski
Mezopotamya’nın çivi yazılı metinleri insanlardaki zihinsel-bilişsel sorunlarla
da ilgili bilgiler içermektedir. Ancak belirli bir metin türünde derli toplu
bir şekilde bulunmadıkları için bu bilgiler oldukça dağınık bir şekildedir ve
çoğu zaman metinlerin satır aralarında karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Ayrıca
insanlardaki zihinsel sorunlarla ilgili olduğu düşünülen Sümerce ve Akadca
kelimelerin tam olarak ne tür sorunlara göndermede bulunduğunu ve bu sağlık
sorunlarının seviyesinin ne olduğunu anlamak her zaman kolay olamamaktadır.
Makale, Sümerce LÚ.LIL ve Akadca lillu/lillatu kelimelerinin özellikle edebi ve
mitolojik metinler başta olmak üzere çivi yazılı metinlerdeki kullanımlarından
yola çıkarak kelimenin ne tür bir zihinsel sorunu tanımladığını anlamaya odaklanacaktır.
Bununla birlikte kelimenin metinlerde ne amaçla ve hangi bağlamlarda
kullanıldığı üzerinde kısaca durulacaktır. Böylece lillu olduğu ifade edilen
insanların toplumsal anlamda nasıl algılanmış olduğu genel hatlarıyla ortaya
konulmaya çalışılacaktır. Kelimenin birçok metinde özellikle fiziksel
sakatlıklarla birlikte geçmesine rağmen zihinsel bir sakatlıktan ve
rahatsızlıktan daha ziyade özellikle toplumun kimi kesimleri tarafından
davranış biçimleri ve mizaçları açısından farklı görülen kişileri tanımladığı
gösterilmeye çalışılacaktır.

Keywords

Eski Mezopotamya, Lillu, Zihinsel Sakatlıklar, Sakat Bireyler

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