What is "utukku"

The utukku were a type of spirit In Sumerian religion that had escaped the underworld, either by their own power or by being summoned forth by a priest, such as the one appearing in the Epic of Gilgamesh. They could be either benevolent or evil. The evil utukku were called Edimmu and the good lamassu or shedu.

Two of the best known edimmus were Asag (slain by Ninurta) and Alû. Though they are sometimes confused for The Seven Evil Spirits, an utukku is the raised spirit of a mortal, while The Seven were created by Anu as plague gods.