fufufafaIn the vast tapestry of human imagination, where ancient cultures wove stories to explain the world and their place within it, myths and legends serve as vibrant threads. Among these is the tale of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal City, a narrative that hails from the rich oral traditions of certain West African peoples, particularly those influenced by the Vodun spiritual practices. This is not a recounting of historical fact or a call to worship, but rather a journey into the heart of ancient storytelling, a glimpse into how our ancestors perceived the cosmos, life, and the very foundations of existence.
The cultural era in which these stories took root was one deeply attuned to the rhythms of nature. Societies in the coastal regions and savannas of West Africa lived in intimate connection with the land, the sky, and the unseen forces they believed governed them. The world was not seen as a sterile, material place, but as a vibrant, living entity, infused with spirit. Deities, spirits, and ancestral beings were not distant concepts but active participants in daily life, their influence felt in the rain that nourished crops, the thunder that shook the sky, and the very breath that sustained life. The worldview was often cyclical, acknowledging birth, death, and rebirth, and emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. In this context, elaborate mythologies arose to explain creation, the complexities of human nature, and the enduring quest for order and permanence.
Central to this narrative is the figure of Mawu-Lisa. This entity, often depicted as a dualistic being, embodies both the feminine and masculine principles, the sun and the moon, the day and the night. Mawu, the feminine aspect, is associated with the moon, coolness, and the nurturing, creative force. Lisa, the masculine aspect, is linked to the sun, heat, and the active, generative power. This duality is not one of opposition but of complementary forces, essential for the balance and continuation of the cosmos. Mawu-Lisa, as a unified entity, represents the supreme creator, the source from which all existence flows. Their symbolic attributes are not to be understood as literal divine powers, but as representations of fundamental natural forces and the inherent balance required for creation and sustenance. The cyclical nature of the sun and moon, their dependence on each other for the passage of time, and their influence on earthly phenomena are powerfully embodied in this dualistic deity.
The tale of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal City often begins with a primordial void, a state of formless potential. From this vast emptiness, Mawu-Lisa emerged, a radiant singularity of power and intention. With their combined energies, they set about shaping the universe. Lisa, with fiery brilliance, brought forth the sun, the stars, and the very heat of existence. Mawu, with gentle, luminous grace, coaxed forth the moon, the oceans, and the fertile soil that would support life. Together, they sculpted mountains from the earth’s core and breathed life into the first beings.
Yet, in their immense creative endeavor, Mawu-Lisa recognized a fundamental truth: the ephemeral nature of all earthly things. Life, though vibrant, was fleeting. Forms changed, civilizations rose and fell, and even the mountains themselves were subject to erosion. A longing arose within them for a place of ultimate permanence, a realm untouched by decay, a city that would endure for all eternity. Thus, Mawu-Lisa conceived of the Eternal City, a celestial metropolis built not of stone and mortar, but of pure spirit and unyielding truth.
The construction of this city was a monumental undertaking, a testament to their cosmic power and their profound understanding of existence. They gathered the purest essences of light, the most resilient echoes of sound, and the most enduring threads of will. Each celestial architect, each divine craftsman, contributed to its construction. The foundations were laid with the unwavering principles of justice and compassion. The walls were raised with the strength of unwavering purpose and the beauty of boundless creativity. The spires reached towards the heavens, adorned with the wisdom gleaned from countless cycles of creation and dissolution.
It is said that the Eternal City was not merely a physical place, but a state of being, a perfect harmony of all that is good and true. Within its gleaming thoroughfares, there was no suffering, no fear, no conflict. It was a sanctuary of absolute peace and everlasting order. The inhabitants of this city, if they could be called inhabitants in the earthly sense, were beings of pure consciousness, eternal and content.
The symbolism embedded within this myth is rich and multifaceted. Mawu-Lisa, as a dual creator, reflects the ancient understanding of the universe as a dynamic interplay of opposing yet complementary forces – the masculine and feminine, the active and passive, the visible and invisible. Their creation of the Eternal City speaks to a universal human yearning for transcendence, for something that outlasts the limitations of mortal existence. The city itself can be interpreted as a metaphor for ideals such as perfect justice, ultimate knowledge, or a state of spiritual enlightenment. It represents the aspiration for a realm of absolute order and harmony, a stark contrast to the often chaotic and unpredictable nature of the earthly world. The myth, therefore, explores themes of creation, duality, the passage of time, and the enduring human desire for meaning and permanence in the face of mortality.
In contemporary times, the echoes of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal City continue to resonate, albeit in different forms. While the specific narrative might not be widely recognized in mainstream Western culture, its underlying themes of creation, divine dualism, and the search for an ideal, eternal realm are perennial in mythology and literature. These archetypal concepts find expression in various forms of storytelling, from epic fantasy novels and cinematic universes that depict celestial cities or paradisiacal realms, to philosophical explorations of utopia and transcendence. In academic circles, this myth, like many others, is studied as a valuable artifact of cultural heritage, offering insights into the worldview, values, and anxieties of the people who first told it. It is a testament to the enduring power of human imagination to grapple with the profound questions of existence.
It is crucial to reiterate that the tale of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal City is a traditional story, a product of the rich cultural heritage and imaginative spirit of ancient West African peoples. It is a narrative woven to illuminate their understanding of the world and their place within it. As Muslims, we recognize that the sole Creator and Sustainer of all existence is Allah (God). This understanding is absolute and unwavering. We acknowledge that these ancient stories, while holding cultural and historical significance, are not divine revelations. They are instead fascinating examples of humanity’s innate drive to understand, to question, and to create meaning through the power of storytelling. The legacy of such myths lies not in their literal truth, but in their ability to connect us to our shared human past, to inspire our imaginations, and to remind us of the enduring tradition of narrative that shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
