Dumuzid is the brother of the goddess Geshtinanna in Sumerian mythology.
Dumuzid, also known as Dumuzi, is a shepherd deity associated with kingship, fertility, and the seasonal cycle. Geshtinanna is described as his sister and is often characterized as a goddess connected with vegetation, dreams, and the interpretation of dreams. Their relationship is especially important in stories concerning Dumuzi’s death and his connection with the underworld.
In Inanna’s Descent, Geshtinanna’s loyalty to her brother contrasts with the behavior of others who fail to mourn him. She later shares his underworld fate in the arrangement that permits Dumuzi’s return for part of the year. This narrative helped support later interpretations of Dumuzi as a dying-and-returning vegetation figure.
Dumuzid should not be confused with Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s companion, or with Nanna, the moon god. Dumuzi is a divine shepherd and a major figure in Sumerian myth.