The custom of pouring water behind the traveler
One of the ancient Sumerian customs is to sprinkle water behind a traveler. It is a tradition aimed at getting closer to the god Enki, the god of water
In order to protect the traveler from the evil of the road and the fighter in battle, this custom has remained from 3000 BC to this day.
It is a custom that an Iraqi mother does behind her son when he leaves the house so that he can go safely and return safely. It is an ancient Sumerian characteristic, and this characteristic is one of the customs and traditions that were in force in the Sumerian society in the Mesopotamian civilization more than 5,000 years ago and which are still in effect until the present time.
In ancient Iraq, a Sumerian mother used to sprinkle water behind her son, a fighter who was going to battle or to travel. The aim of this tradition was to supplicate and approach the Sumerian god, Enki, the god of fresh water and the protector of human existence, to protect her son and return him safely.
The process of sprinkling a small amount of water behind the outside of the house, whether for combat or travel, was to protect against the evil of the road or to protect the fighter heading towards battle from the evil of death and injury so that he would return unscathed from all evil. This characteristic was transmitted from Mesopotamia to Egypt and Anatolia. Persia and North Africa.
Sources: The Gospel of Sumer.