fufufafaIn the vibrant tapestry of West African folklore, where the rustling of palm leaves often carries echoes of ancient tales, lies the legend of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal Mountain. This is not a scripture to be held as divine truth, but a traditional narrative, a whispered story passed down through generations by the people of the Fon kingdom, who once flourished in what is now the Republic of Benin. These were people who lived in intimate communion with the natural world, their lives shaped by the rhythm of the seasons, the bounty of the land, and the awe-inspiring power of the cosmos. Their understanding of existence was deeply intertwined with the forces they observed around them – the sun’s life-giving warmth, the moon’s mysterious pull, the thunder’s rumbling pronouncements, and the sheer, immovable presence of the earth beneath their feet.
The legend of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal Mountain emerged from this worldview, a time when the veil between the tangible and the spiritual felt thinner, and the origins of creation were sought in grand, often personified, cosmic events. The people of that era viewed the world as a complex, interconnected system, where divine principles manifested in the natural phenomena that governed their lives. They sought explanations for the dualities they witnessed: day and night, male and female, creation and destruction.
At the heart of this legend stands Mawu-Lisa, a figure that embodies a profound duality. Mawu-Lisa is not a single entity but a complex, androgynous divinity, often described as the supreme creator. In some interpretations, Mawu-Lisa is seen as two beings, Mawu (often associated with the feminine, the moon, night, and the gentler aspects of creation) and Lisa (associated with the masculine, the sun, day, and the more forceful elements). Together, they represent the ultimate creative force, the prime mover from which all existence springs. Mawu-Lisa’s symbolic attributes are vast, representing the balance of opposing forces necessary for life to flourish. The sun’s energy, the moon’s gentle glow, the cycle of birth and death, the interplay of light and shadow – all these were understood as manifestations of Mawu-Lisa’s multifaceted nature. It is crucial to understand that these are symbolic representations, attempts by ancient peoples to grapple with the profound mysteries of existence and the forces that shaped their world, not claims of divine power or entities to be worshipped.
The narrative of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal Mountain often begins with the primordial void, a state of nothingness before the universe as we know it took shape. In this vast expanse, Mawu-Lisa existed, contemplating the potential for creation. It is said that Mawu-Lisa, in its infinite wisdom and desire to bring order to the formless, conceived of the world. However, the act of creation was not a simple one. The energies that Mawu-Lisa commanded were immense, powerful forces that threatened to overwhelm the nascent universe.
To contain these potent forces and to provide a stable foundation for the emerging world, Mawu-Lisa sought to create an anchor, a steadfast point of reference. This led to the conceptualization of the Eternal Mountain. This mountain was not just a geological formation; it was an embodiment of permanence, stability, and the very essence of grounded existence. Imagine a colossal peak, its summit piercing the heavens, its base rooted deep within the cosmic foundation. It was envisioned as a place where the sky met the earth, a bridge between the divine realm and the material world.
The legend often recounts how Mawu-Lisa, with immense effort, sculpted and raised this magnificent peak from the primordial energies. The very act of its formation was fraught with peril. The raw power of creation, channeled into the building of the mountain, churned and roared, creating the storms and tremors that characterized the early days of the world. But Mawu-Lisa, through its dual nature, managed to temper these forces. Lisa, with its fiery sun-like energy, hardened the rock and shaped its mighty slopes, while Mawu, with its cool, moonlit influence, smoothed its contours and brought forth the life-giving springs that would eventually flow down its sides.
Once the Eternal Mountain stood, a testament to Mawu-Lisa’s power and foresight, the creator began to populate the world. From the fertile slopes of the mountain, life began to bloom. Plants, animals, and eventually, the first humans, are said to have emerged, nurtured by the mountain’s steadfast presence and the divine energies of Mawu-Lisa. The mountain served as a focal point for existence, a constant reminder of the power and order that governed their lives. Its unchanging nature was a source of comfort and security in a world that could often feel unpredictable.
The symbolism embedded within this legend is rich and multifaceted. The Eternal Mountain, in its immutability, represented stability, endurance, and the foundational principles of existence. It was a metaphor for the unshakeable truths that the people of Dahomey sought in their understanding of the world. Mawu-Lisa, in its dual aspect, symbolized the vital balance of opposing forces – the masculine and the feminine, the active and the passive, the light and the dark – that are essential for the continuous cycle of life. The legend could have served to explain the origins of the world, the source of life, and the importance of maintaining balance in both the natural and social realms. It might have been a way to interpret the cyclical nature of time, the relationship between the celestial bodies, and the raw, untamed power of nature.
In the modern era, the legend of Mawu-Lisa and the Eternal Mountain, like many ancient myths, finds new life and interpretation. It is studied in academic circles as a valuable artifact of cultural heritage, offering insights into the cosmology, philosophy, and social structures of the Fon people. In literature and artistic expressions, the themes of duality, creation, and the monumental power of nature continue to resonate. While no longer a literal belief system, the story’s archetypal elements of the primordial creator, the cosmic mountain, and the quest for balance can be found influencing contemporary storytelling, from fantasy novels to philosophical discussions on the nature of existence.
It is important to reiterate that this narrative is a cultural story, a product of human imagination and a testament to the enduring human need to understand our origins and our place in the universe. As Muslims, we recognize that only Allah (God) is the true Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. Our understanding of creation is derived from the divine revelations in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This ancient tale, therefore, serves as a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of a people and their unique way of understanding the world, celebrating the power of storytelling and the enduring human spirit of inquiry. It reminds us of the diverse ways in which humanity has sought to make sense of the mysteries of life, through imagination, symbolism, and the transmission of ancestral wisdom.
