I am called Huwawa in Sumeria and Humbaba in Akkadian (Babylonian). I am a giant. I can squish you little men with my thumb. *Huwawa holds up his forefinger and thumb and squints through them. Getting your head in his sites, he squeezes them shut.*

In the epic saga Gilgamesh (it should have been called The life and death of Huwawa by that young whippersnapper, Gilgamesh and his wild friend, Enkidu...hmmm...maybe too long) I was the protector of the Cedar Forest. I was fierce and took my job seriously, unlike the youth of today. I had a task to fulfill, given to me by The Big Man, Da Boss, Enlil. I wasn't going to stand around waiting for a paycheck I didn't earn.

Anyway, as I was saying, the Cedar Forest was my domain. In my youth, I may have caused the Flood...but, that's never been proven. Nothing but ugly rumors if you ask me. They grew as time went on and the deed was pinned upon my large shoulders. In order to make up for other indescretions of my past, I was running security/ops in the Cedar Forest.

It was a sweet assignment. I had a fierce reputation. Those quirky Babylonians even had magical charms depicting me. They had divinations that said such stuff as "when the intestines are like Humbaba" or "if a woman bore a fetus in the shape of Humbaba", well that meant that there would be a revolution in the state! Yep, I was powerful. *Humbaba flexes his muscles*

*Huwawa looks about confusedly* Where was I again? *He gently touches his right temple* Ah yes, Gilgamesh and his crazy, wild-eyed, freakish friend Enkidu. They came to my forest. I was doing my job by protecting it and the rude little buggers killed me! *A soft, muffled sob escapes between Humbaba's trembling lips.*

Things really went downhill in my life after that movie. I found myself in the Netherworld with that bi-er-witch Ereshkigal calling all the shots. It was a dim reflection of the world above. It was depressing...and the food? *Humbaba's delicate shudder almost causes an earthquake* It was dust for breakfast, dust for lunch, dust for dinner, dust for snacks! After years of this, who could blame a guy for, when the opporuntity came, escaping?

And so, that's how I ended up here. In beautiful NOLA. Just in time for another Flood. Asking you kind people for some aid. *Huwawa holds up a staying hand* Now, that last Flood was only rumor and I am not taking the wrap for this one either. And revolution? Whoa now...you guys aren't Babylonians are you? And what's this about an "award"?

Sources:

Ancient Days: Who was Nimrod? by Dr. David Livingston
"Gods, Demons, and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia" by Jeremy Black and Anthony Green, © 1992 by the Trustees of the British Museum pg. 106