Lisa

deity · Benin · West Africa

Lisa is the Fon (Dahomey) god of the sun, daytime, heat, strength, and civilization. He is the male counterpart and twin of Mawu, the moon goddess, together forming the dual deity Mawu-Lisa. While Mawu is "cool" (gentle, forgiving, lunar), Lisa is "hot" (fierce, punitive, solar). After Mawu created the earth and retired, she sent Lisa to bring civilization to humanity — teaching them to make tools, clear forests, farm, and live in organized society. Lisa is associated with the chameleon as his messenger and symbol. He represents the active, creative principle of the universe. His priests wear

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