Lelwani: the Underworld deity who switched gender
Lelwani, also spelt Leluwani, was a Hittite underworld deity, but their presence is attested way before the Hittite came to Anatolia. In the Hattic culture, Lelwani was considered a male deity and addressed as a “king” when the Hittites, known for adopting deities from conquered or neighbouring cultures, incorporated Lelwani into their own belief system. […]
Lelwani, also spelt Leluwani, was a Hittite underworld deity, but their presence is attested way before the Hittite came to Anatolia. In the Hattic culture, Lelwani was considered a male deity and addressed as a “king” when the Hittites, known for adopting deities from conquered or neighbouring cultures, incorporated Lelwani into their own belief system. In doing so, they made him a woman. They’re today’s profile on my Patreon.
