Egypt: The Gods of Ancient Egypt - Khnum (Khenmew, khnemu, khenmu, chnum)

Khenmu

Other Names: Chem, Kemu, Khem, Khnum Patron of: the creation of people and animals.

Appearance: a man with the head of a ram.

Description: Khenmu formed a triad with Anuket and Satis, and was possibly a Nubian god originally. The worship of Khenmu dates to the earliest of times in Egypt, the Unas Pyramid Text indicates that his cult was already old when that ancient document was written. Called "the Great Potter," Khenmu was the creator of people. He sculpted them out of clay from the Nile, held them up so that Ra could shine his life-giving rays upon them, and then placed them in the womb. His wife was the lioness-goddess Menhit, and their son was Hike. Originally a primal force deity of creation like Ptah, his role was later modified to fit him into the pantheon of the state religion.

Worship: Worshipped throughout Nubia and Egypt, his cult centers were Elephantine, Sunnu, Abu, and Semnut.

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