Long ago, when the lands of Daomè, today known as Abomey, were still wild and untamed, Mawu, the Creator, sent Lisa, the Sun God, to the earth with a sacred companion. “When you arrive in this land,” Mawu said, “take with you the vodun Gu, who is all metal. I give him to you. He is my strength. With him, you shall clear the land for men, forge tools, and teach humanity how to cultivate the earth. Through him, men shall sow, reap, and prosper.”
Lisa accepted the gift of Gu and descended to the earth. Together, they arrived at Daomè, the heart of a land soon to flourish under human hands. Gu, mighty and unyielding, carried a great sword that glimmered with a strength no ordinary weapon could match. Wherever he swung it, forests fell and fields opened, clearing spaces for villages, farms, and human settlements. It was Gu who first made iron, forged weapons, and taught mankind the skill of shaping metal into tools that would make life possible.
The people, seeing the cleared lands and the first iron tools, marveled at Gu’s work. Axes, plows, and sickles appeared, and the rhythm of labor and harvest began. Lisa looked upon the earth and spoke, “This is why Mawu gave me Gu. He is the spirit of iron, the force that sustains humanity. Without him, men cannot live. Iron cuts wood, fashions tools, forges weapons, and opens the path for mankind. Through Gu, the earth itself yields to the hands of men.”
With the work complete, Lisa returned to the sky, taking the Sun as his eternal home. From there, he shines over the world, guiding and warming the lands. Gu remained upon the earth, the embodiment of iron, teaching humanity its strength and resilience. He became a constant presence, ensuring that men would always have the tools to build, protect, and sustain themselves.
The earth thrived under Gu’s guidance. Villages arose where forests had been. Fields were sown and harvested. Iron tools allowed men to tame the land, defend their homes, and thrive as a community. Generations passed down the knowledge of Gu, honoring him in work and ritual, understanding that the power of iron was both a gift and a responsibility.
Through Lisa and Gu, humanity learned that survival and progress were intertwined with divine guidance. Iron was not merely a tool, it was the bridge between men and the Creator, a symbol of strength, wisdom, and civilization itself. Mankind owed their ability to work the land, protect their families, and build communities to the gift that descended from the heavens.
Moral of the Story
This tale teaches that human progress depends on divine guidance and the tools provided by the Creator. Strength, skill, and knowledge, embodied in iron, are gifts to be used responsibly to sustain life and community.
Knowledge Check
1. Who sent Lisa and Gu to earth?
Mawu, the Creator, sent Lisa and the vodun Gu to guide humanity.
2. What is Gu’s primary role in the story?
Gu is the spirit of iron, clearing land, forging tools, and teaching mankind to work the earth.
3. Where did Lisa and Gu descend?
They descended at Daomè, now known as Abomey.
4. Why is iron important according to the folktale?
Iron allows men to cut wood, fashion tools, forge weapons, and cultivate the land.
5. What happened to Lisa after the work was done?
He returned to the sky and became the Sun, shining over the earth.
6. What lesson does the story convey about human progress?
Human survival and growth rely on divine gifts, skill, and responsible use of tools like iron.
Source: Beninese Folktale
