Mawu-Lisa
mawu-lisa (Continuer of Creation) Fon (Benin) The Great God of the Fon pantheon (see Vodun). Mawu-Lisa was a complex and androgynous deity of whom the deities Mawu (who was female) and Lisa (who was male) were two aspects. Mawu-Lisa symbolized opposing aspects of human life. MawuLisa is described as one person with two faces. One face—the face of Mawu—is that of a woman whose eyes are the Moon. The other face—the face of Lisa—is that of a man whose eyes are the Sun. The aspect called Mawu directed the night. The aspect called Lisa directed the day. Mawu-Lisa created the universe (see Fon creation account) and gave birth to the gods and goddesses of the Fon pantheon. She divided up the realms of the universe among her children. Only her youngest son, Legba, could communicate directly with Mawu-Lisa. Deities and humans alike had to speak to her through Legba.
Taken from African Mythology A to Z – Library Binding – May 1, 2010- Second Edition – Written by Patricia Ann Lynch (Author), Jeremy Roberts Dr (Editor) – Copyright © 2004, 2010 by Patricia Ann Lynch
