Khaabou
Encyclopedia
Chaabou is the name of one of the Goddesses in the Nabataean Pantheon as noted by Epiphanius of Salamis
(c.315–403). The description either points to Allat
or Uzza
, but is most likely the former since Allat
is also associated with Aphrodite
, a fertility Goddess. Khaabou has been called by Epiphanius a Virgin that gave birth to Dusares/Dhu Sharaa/DVSARI, the Lord of mount Seir
, the God of the Nabataeans
equated with Zeus
. He records a festival celebrating the birth of Dusares on the 25th of December whereby the Black Stone
of Dusares (considered newly born) is carried around the courtyard of the temple seven times.
Remnants of this practice are observed not only in the present day Hajj
, but also in most Arab countries where, upon birth of a child, the family carries the baby around the house seven times. This ritual is called Subu' (meaning the sevens). It is also interesting that once the pilgrims return from the Hajj, they are considered as those who have been purified from sin, as if they were newly born.
John of Damascus
, while narrating accounts regarding the Hagarenes
or Saracens, notes that they revere a certain black stone
and shower it with kisses, and it is the head of Aphrodite
, the goddess they once worshipped and whom they call Chobar in their language.
Epiphanius of Salamis
Epiphanius of Salamis was bishop of Salamis at the end of the 4th century. He is considered a saint and a Church Father by both the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches. He gained a reputation as a strong defender of orthodoxy...
(c.315–403). The description either points to Allat
Allat
' or ' was a Pre-Islamic Arabian goddess who was one of the three chief goddesses of Mecca. She is mentioned in the Qur'an , which indicates that pre-Islamic Arabs considered her as one of the daughters of Allah along with Manāt and al-‘Uzzá....
or Uzza
Uzza
Al-Uzzá was one of the three chief goddesses of Arabian religion in pre-Islamic times and was worshiped as one of the daughters of Allah by the pre-Islamic arabs along with Allāt and Manāt. Al-‘Uzzá was also worshipped by the Nabataeans, who equated her with the Greek goddess Aphrodite Ourania...
, but is most likely the former since Allat
Allat
' or ' was a Pre-Islamic Arabian goddess who was one of the three chief goddesses of Mecca. She is mentioned in the Qur'an , which indicates that pre-Islamic Arabs considered her as one of the daughters of Allah along with Manāt and al-‘Uzzá....
is also associated with Aphrodite
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.Her Roman equivalent is the goddess .Historically, her cult in Greece was imported from, or influenced by, the cult of Astarte in Phoenicia....
, a fertility Goddess. Khaabou has been called by Epiphanius a Virgin that gave birth to Dusares/Dhu Sharaa/DVSARI, the Lord of mount Seir
Mount Seir
Mount Seir formed the south-east border of Edom and Judah, it may also echo the older historical border of Egypt and Canaan.-Tanakh:Mount Seir is specifically noted as the place that Esau made his home . It was named for Seir, the Horite, whose sons inhabited the land...
, the God of the Nabataeans
Nabataeans
Thamudi3.jpgThe Nabataeans, also Nabateans , were ancient peoples of southern Canaan and the northern part of Arabia, whose oasis settlements in the time of Josephus , gave the name of Nabatene to the borderland between Syria and Arabia, from the Euphrates to the Red Sea...
equated with Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
. He records a festival celebrating the birth of Dusares on the 25th of December whereby the Black Stone
Black Stone
The Black Stone is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba, the ancient stone building towards which Muslims pray, in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is revered by Muslims as an Islamic relic, which according to Muslim tradition dates back to the time of Adam and Eve.The...
of Dusares (considered newly born) is carried around the courtyard of the temple seven times.
Remnants of this practice are observed not only in the present day Hajj
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
, but also in most Arab countries where, upon birth of a child, the family carries the baby around the house seven times. This ritual is called Subu' (meaning the sevens). It is also interesting that once the pilgrims return from the Hajj, they are considered as those who have been purified from sin, as if they were newly born.
John of Damascus
John of Damascus
Saint John of Damascus was a Syrian monk and priest...
, while narrating accounts regarding the Hagarenes
Hagarenes
Hagarenes , is a term that describes "the followers or descendants of Hagar". The name was used in Judeo-Christian literature and Byzantine chronicles for Hanif Arabs, then for Islamic forces known collectively as Saracens, and during the height of the Ottoman Empire, for Turks. The name, used...
or Saracens, notes that they revere a certain black stone
Black Stone
The Black Stone is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba, the ancient stone building towards which Muslims pray, in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is revered by Muslims as an Islamic relic, which according to Muslim tradition dates back to the time of Adam and Eve.The...
and shower it with kisses, and it is the head of Aphrodite
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.Her Roman equivalent is the goddess .Historically, her cult in Greece was imported from, or influenced by, the cult of Astarte in Phoenicia....
, the goddess they once worshipped and whom they call Chobar in their language.