Motherhood Is A Full Time Job, So She Didn't Rest For Centuries

The Fon and Ewe people of West Africa believed the deity Nana Buluku birthed cosmic twins, Mawu-Lisa. Mawu, the feminine moon, and Lisa, the masculine sun.

Nana loved Mawu-Lisa, but parenting was a full time job. The moment Lisa went to sleep, Mawu awakened. Nana needed rest, but pressures from outside evils made it clear she wouldn’t rest – for hundreds of years!

When kidnappers began enslaving African people, Nana knew she must act, sacrificing any chance she had of resting. Nana boarded the slave ships as a spirit guide, instructing Mawu-Lisa to protect the ships day and night.

Nana’s legacy is still celebrated globally, having been kept alive by cunning enslaved Africans who, not wanting to get caught worshiping her, adopted a “disguise” for Nana. To trick enslavers, they referred to her as “Our Lady of Mt. Carmel,” who is the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus.

It wasn’t until exportation of enslaved Africans overseas was abolished that Nana rested – permanently! She retired, knowing Mawu-Lisa would protect those who remained enslaved.

Often we don’t rest because there’s “work to be done,” but rest is essential for our well being – including our spiritual health! Rest, like faith, is a practice.

Can we incorporate rest within our faith practices as a form of empowerment? Rest is Resistance!