The Bwiti Tradition
All things Bwiti and its Relation to Iboga
As the story goes, when Iboga first came to be, it chose to be with the Bwiti. Iboga respected their way of living, and so when the people started asking where they came from & how they had so much to be grateful for, Iboga presented itself and said, “tell your people that when they have questions, take me and I will show them.”
And there’s much more to this story.
What is Bwiti?
Bwiti is a traditional cultural path and spiritual discipline that has been practiced by many tribes indigenous to equatorial Central West Africa for thousands of years. Each tribe having distinct practices. Yet, having one common thread among all them, the sacred plant, Iboga. For the Bwiti, it is a sacrament, medicine and teacher.
Bwiti can basically be translated as “School of Life.” And those who are Bwiti are students of life.
What is Missoko Bwiti?
A tribe Indigenous to Gabon that spans back over a thousand years and follows the Dissumba Bwiti tradition, the mother of all Bwiti.
Missoko Bwiti includes five different branches; Ngonde (bwiti of visions and diagnostics), Mioba (bwiti of healing with trees, plants and herbs), Missoula (bwiti of knowledge and Creation), M'boundi (bwiti of women), Senguedia (bwiti of protection).
The Missoko Bwiti have continued to pass this traditional knowledge unchanged generation upon generation. Language, dance, music, ritual, ceremony and stories have continued to be maintained through a deep oral tradition.
Bwiti can basically be translated as “School of Life.”
And those who are Bwiti are students of life.
The Teachings
Iboga introduced the teachings to Bwiti. We master the art of living through the teachings of Iboga. They share some similarities to the Tao & the yogic philosophy, but of course is unique to Bwiti.
‘Life is a gift,’ is one of the teachings. Another is, ‘respect all of nature- plants, animals, human, ourselves- or else, as Moughenda puts it, misery, misery, misery!
Through the magnetic storytelling of Michael DancingEagle, the teachings are taught around the fire during our traditional Missoko Bwiti Iboga Ceremonies.
Not a Religion
Some sources mistakenly call Bwiti a religion. Bwiti is in fact not a religion. Unlike religion, Bwiti does not involve faith or, a common collective belief system. Bwiti can be considered a monotheistic ancestral traditional path that is open to anyone who approaches it with respect and humility whether they be black, white, yellow or red. Bwiti consider all mankind as one.
As we Missoko say,
“anything Spiritual must be shared from breath to breath.”
The Temple
The temple structures have three walls so that they may always remain open to the world. People may come and go as they please. During ceremony the temples are brought to life. Adorned with plants, torches, music, song and dance the temples become deeply reverent. At other times they act as safe havens for conversation, counsel, healing rituals, resolve disputes, relay teachings, social gatherings and prepare medicines.
Kept Secret
Bwiti was kept secret for centuries because of deep opposition from colonial missionary campaigns. Missoko Bwiti has survived completely intact and unadulterated by external influences. It continues to flourish and is expanding throughout the world in spite of tremendous persecution over the years. It is a testament of their resilience, strength of character and commitment to these traditional ways.
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Experience a Traditional Missoko Bwiti Ceremony
Find out why Iboga has a unparalleled success rate and how our guests were able to harness the power of their minds to find their freedom.