Here's why:
* Limited Literary Genres: The Sumerian literary tradition wasn't as sophisticated as later Greek or Roman literature in terms of defined genres. They primarily focused on:
* Hymns: Praising deities
* Epic poems: Narrating heroic deeds or myths
* Lamentations: Expressing sorrow and grief
* Wisdom literature: Offering advice and observations
* Love poetry: Expressing love and desire
* Multifaceted Function: Many Sumerian poems served multiple purposes. For example, an epic poem could be a story, but it might also contain religious themes, historical references, or moral lessons.
* Oral Tradition: Sumerian literature was primarily transmitted orally. The distinction between entertainment and other functions might have been less clear in this context.
In short, while there was no specific term for "entertainment poetry," the ancient Sumerians likely enjoyed the narrative and lyrical qualities of their poetry, regardless of its intended purpose.