El Lat and Ozza
were both goddesses in pre-Islamic times. Arabs believed that the god or goddess of each tribe played an active role in war, and fought to ensure victory for its people. The tribes used to go into battle carrying paintings or statues of their gods or goddesses. Abou Suffian, a tribal leader of Koraish had his standard bearers carry El Lat and Ozza in the battle against the Muslims at Ahad. Together, with Hind, constituted a female force which brought victory over the Muslims and reinforced the faith of the tribe in their own power. The important position occupied b ysome goddesses was symbolic of the relatively high prestige enjoyed by women in Arab tribal society and a reflection of the vestiges of matriarchal society that still lived on and were prominent in some of the tribes.
