Kamkam the Nabataean Priestess: Priesthood and Society in Ancient Arabia

A 5th-century CE inscription from Hegra (al-Hijr) reveals the possible status of Kamkam, a Nabataean priestess linked to the goddess Manat. Her funerary text suggests matrilineal significance and offers new insights into the role of priestesses in ancient Arabian society, particularly in northwestern Arabia. The study analyzes her lineage—Kamak daughter of Wa'lu daughter of Harmu—to argue for her elevated social and religious standing. This research contributes to understanding pre-Islamic priesthood traditions by connecting Hegra’s archaeological evidence with broader historical contexts.

Al-Fassi, H. (2012). Kamkam the Nabataean Priestess: Priesthood and Society in Ancient Arabia. From Ugarit to Nabataea, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.31826/9781463235031-003