Hama (Heimdall)

Hama
Image courtesy of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Aliases	Hama (Anglo-Saxon) Heimdallr, Heimdalr, Heimdall, Heimdal.Rig / Rigr (King)Hallinskidi (Ram)White godGuardian of the gods
Affiliation	Odin (father) Loki (enemy)Thor (enemy)
Occupation	Guardian of Asgard
Physical description
Species	god
Appearances
Appears in	Beowulf, Widsið, Eddas,

Background

Hama is an important warrior deity among Anglo-Saxon culture, For the purpose of this wiki article, Hama will be considered as another name for Heimdall, the closely related Nordic god. Hama is a strong warrior tasked with protecting the gods and their home, Asgard. As popularized by the recent movie Thor, Heimdall lives at the entry bridge to Asgard, the Bifrost. He is mentioned in other significant historical works such as Eddas, where his repetitive references suggest he was an important character in Norse mythology. Heimdall also kept the “ringing horn”, a device that was said to be heard in every realm of existence and would only be sounded when giants approached Asgard. He is said to be one of the many sons of Oden, the leader and most well known god in Norse mythology.

Name Etymology

It is proposed that Hama's Norse name, Heimdallr, has a deeper meaning. The name comes from two different pieces; heimr (home, house) and "dallr" (meaning shining, bright). This name means "one who illuminates the home". This is tied to his role of protecting Asgard, Heimdallr is tasked with keeping the kingdom safe and seeing all that occur around it.

Strengths

• God-level strength
• Acute sense of hearing
• Skilled swordsman
• Keen sight
• Requires little sleep

Weaknesses

• Easily deceived
• Lack of humanity

• Unable to protect Asgard from Ragnarok

Role in Beowulf

Hama is referenced in one place in Beowulf, where he is depicted with a necklace (Brísingamen or Brosings' necklace) belonging to Freya. This reference was provided in Beowulf to exemplify the greatness of the gifts given to Beowulf during a feast in Heorot. This necklace the sole piece of evidence connecting Hama to Heimdall, as they both are said to have done battle for this necklace. This reference provides the link between two characters who before were thought separate. Scholars still debate on whether Heimdall and Hama are truly the same person despite existing in different cultures simultaneously, but nobody can truly say for certain.

Lines in Beowulf Mentioned

Translated Version

“ There was no hoard like it since Hama snatched

the Brosings’ neck-chain and bore it away

with its gems and settings to his shining ford.”

(Heaney 1197-1199)

Old English

hordmaðum hæleþa, syþðan Hama ætwæg

to þære byrhtan byrig Brosinga mene,

sigle ond sincfæt,--- searoniðas fleah

Eormenrices, geceas ecne ræd.

(1197-1199)

It is important to note that this is the only reference to Hama we get in Beowulf, but other references in literary works such as Widsið and Eddas provide more insight into the character.

Fun Facts!

• Heimdall is proposed to have 9 mothers, each of which coming from the 9 daughters of the sea giant Aegir.
• As Heimdall guards Asgard, he can see into 9 different worlds ( a lot of 9's huh?)
• Heimdall is pronounced "HAME-doll"
• Heimdall owns a golden horse named Gulltoppr
• Heimdall has the power of foreknowledge; he can see what is going to happen before it even does.
• He's considered the "Father of Humanity". Rumor states he slept with 3 different human women from different social backgrounds for 3 nights. The social classes were serfs, peasants, and nobles.
• He would go on adventures, escaping his duties as watchman, using the name Rig (King). This is the adventure where he found and returned Freya's treasure necklace Brisingamen. During this battle, Loki was shaped like a seal. (you heard that right, a seal). During this battle, Loki tried to hide among the seals after stealing the necklace, but Heimdall had already been disguised as a seal for hours waiting for Loki.