Among the
Nenets people of
Siberia, the male Num was the sky god, the good creator of earth and the high god of the Nenets. Num is one of two
demiurges, or supreme gods. The Nenets believed earth and all living things were created by the god Num and every heavenly sphere is ruled by one son of the Num god.
Nga was his malevolent son.
According to one story, the world threatened to collapse on itself. To try to halt this cataclysm a
shaman sought the advice of Num. The shaman was advised to travel below the earth, to Nga's domain and call upon him. The shaman did as told and was wed with Nga's daughter. After that point he began to support the world in his hand and became known as "The Old Man of the Earth."
In another myth, Num and Nga create the world, collaborating and also competing with each other — the myth is an example of
dualistic cosmology
Dualism in cosmology or dualistic cosmology is the moral or spiritual belief that two fundamental concepts exist, which often oppose each other. It is an umbrella term that covers a diversity of views from various religions, including both traditi ...
.
[Vértes 1990: 104–105]
The word Num means heaven in
Nenets.
See also
*
Nga (god)
Among the Nenets people of Siberia, Nga was the god of death, as well as one of two demiurges, or supreme gods.
According to one story, the world threatened to collapse on itself. To try to halt this cataclysm a shaman sought the advice of the oth ...
*
Pole worship
A ceremonial pole is a stake or post utilised or venerated as part of a ceremony or religious ritual. Ceremonial poles may symbolize a variety of concepts in different ceremonies and rituals practiced by a variety of cultures around the world. ...
Notes
Sources
* The title means: “Belief systems of our language relatives in Siberia”.
Nenets people
Siberian deities
Creator gods
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