What is the origin of the word Kaaba ٱلْكَعْبَة?
A “cube” etymology is often suggested, but there is reason to doubt this traditional explanation.
A “cube” etymology is often suggested, but there is reason to doubt this traditional explanation.
An indication about its meaning might be found in a text from Epihanus (II.22.11) (3-4th C).
He mentions the mother of the deity Dusares, CHAMOU or CHABOU (both reading variations are attested).
He mentions the mother of the deity Dusares, CHAMOU or CHABOU (both reading variations are attested).
Epiphanus describes the Nabatean festival going on at the same night in Alexandria, Petra and also in Elusa.
His intent is to show that parthenogenesis (virgin birth) was also widely accepted in the pagan world. He also shows its broad influence in the Late Antique Near East.
His intent is to show that parthenogenesis (virgin birth) was also widely accepted in the pagan world. He also shows its broad influence in the Late Antique Near East.
The root meaning of Kaaba in Arabic is “round, young female” and not “cube”, which is a late-Arabic attributed meaning, understandably influenced by Islam.
Indeed, early hadith accounts describe the Kaaba's central
function as a fertility totem during the Jahiliyyah period.
Indeed, early hadith accounts describe the Kaaba's central
function as a fertility totem during the Jahiliyyah period.
Indeed, Surah 78:33 shows that the kaaba stem cannot simply mean cube.
Lapidary fetish in the shape of breasts was a widely spread phenomenon around the Mediterranean. An example is the Elagabal sanctuary in Emesa (Syria).
The stone was round with a conic top, and was transferred to Rome because it was viewed as a manifestation of Sol Invicitus.
The stone was round with a conic top, and was transferred to Rome because it was viewed as a manifestation of Sol Invicitus.
In Petra, Cyprus (Paphos), Egypt (Heliopolis), and Delphi we find further examples of these fetishes.
Does this symbol of divine presence existed as a relic of a much older, prehistoric Semitic religiosity?
Consider how fertility imagery takes different shapes across cultures.
Does this symbol of divine presence existed as a relic of a much older, prehistoric Semitic religiosity?
Consider how fertility imagery takes different shapes across cultures.
Kaaba ٱلْكَعْبَة could have started as a name for the lapidary fetish (the Black Stone), then it could have been transferred to the place where it was venerated.
Was the Black Stone present in Mecca as part of a much older fertility cult? Or was it brought to Mecca, just as Elagabal was brought to Rome?
With the present state of knowledge, we cannot say. But the etymology and antique accounts are strong enough to warrant investigation.
With the present state of knowledge, we cannot say. But the etymology and antique accounts are strong enough to warrant investigation.
