Interwoven Mysteries: Decoding the Enigmatic Connection between the Tack of the Horse God Pirwa and Weaving Equipment

This article aims to enhance the understanding of the Hittite god Pirwa by analyzing descriptions of his statues in two oracle texts (KBo 44.209(+) and Çorum 6-1-96) and a cult inventory (KUB 38.4). In contrast to previous interpretations, I propose that the term 𒀹dupau-x[ in KUB 38.4 obv. 4 is a noun denoting a striking weapon rather than a Luwian genitive adjective linked to el-tù-ḫu “whip.” Accordingly, Pirwa is depicted as a horseman holding a striking weapon in his right hand and a whip in his left. The study also investigates the term ašuša-, suggesting it may refer to either the god’s earrings or components of the horse tack or rider’s gear. Furthermore, the mention of a mountain in Çorum 6-1-96 obv. 5′ is interpreted not as a specific mountain name but as a mountain-shaped feature of the divine statue. The article additionally delves into the hapax legomenon karzana- in Çorum 6-1-96 obv. 6′, linking it to the noun karza(n)-, which is associated with weaving activities in festival texts. Both terms are traced to the Indo-European root *(s)ker- meaning “to cut/scratch,” proposing that while karza(n)- likely signifies a weaving stick or shuttle, karzana- might denote a stick-shaped device used as a type of insignia or a weapon.