BWITI INITIATIONS FAQ

We often receive inquiries from people who are interested in traveling to Gabon to undergo initiation in the Bwiti tradition. In this section, we will regularly publish a collection of frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers.

Q: What is the Bwiti?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it pertains not to the Bwiti Tradition specifically, but rather to the concept of the Bwiti itself. In the Missoko Tradition, Bwiti is considered to be everything beyond God in both the visible and invisible worlds. It can be described as an intelligent energy of God with which one can communicate and encompasses all spirits connected to this world. In the Bwiti Dissoumba Fang tradition, Bwiti is sometimes translated as the Unknowable, Infinite, Eternal, Unlimited, Uncreated, something that cannot be fully comprehended or described. The late Bwiti master Atome Ribenga, who dedicated his life to studying and practicing spirituality in Gabon, often remarked that he did not know what the Bwiti was, and that anyone who claimed to know would be dishonest. The concept of Bwiti extends beyond tradition, path, physical life, or even spiritual knowledge. The closest parallel to the Bwiti may be the Tao (or Dao) in Taoism, as Lao Tse wrote over 2,500 years ago in the Tao Te Ching, "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name."

In the “Secret Bible of Africa according to Bwiti” by Prince Birinda we read: “Bwiti is as old as the world. In it is summed up and preserved all sacred science, capable of revealing all the mysteries of existence and non-existence. It comes directly to us from the gods, that is to say from the first beings "having become aware of existence".

Q: What is the difference between Bwiti Missoko and Bwiti Dissoumba Fang Traditions and initiations?

Both Missoko and Dissoumba Fang traditions aim to help you reconnect with your body, soul, and spirit, and receive healing. However, each tradition has its own unique characteristics and flavor.

In simple terms, if you seek to understand the laws of Nature, communicate with terrestrial spirits such as the Earth, plants, and animals, and explore the universe within yourself, then Missoko would be the ideal choice for you. The initiation process requires active participation, as you will need to overcome obstacles and challenges to achieve the desired results. Additionally, Missoko is an initiation into manhood and womanhood, offering maturity, wisdom, and grounding.

On the other hand, if you seek to connect with the Divine, your higher self, and celestial spirits, and understand the universe beyond yourself, then any Bwiti Fang initiation would be beneficial for you. These initiations are full of love, and you will primarily be in receiving mode rather than being active. Your journey will be more spiritual and mystical, and your physical body will be at rest.

It is possible to experience both Bwiti Missoko and Bwiti Fang initiations during the same trip to Gabon. However, it is advisable to plan your journey accordingly, as you will need preparation and integration time after each initiation. It is recommended to reserve at least a month for this enriching experience.

Q: What are the differences between initiations in the Dissoumba Fang tradition?

It is important to understand the differences between the various branches of the Bwiti Dissoumba Fang tradition, each with its unique initiation. In Gabon there are many branches and initiations of the Bwiti Fang Tradition, we offer access to four of them.

One such initiation is in the Mystical branch of Mboumba Eyano, designed to reveal the initiate's true identity, open their heart, and create a spiritual link with their Higher Self.

The Spiritual initiation of Biyeyeme Ozeng aims to uncover the origins of life and our place in it.

The Mimbare branch reveals spiritual truths about Divine Justice or the Law of Karma.

All three initiations are conducted in special initiatic chambers, designed to elevate the initiate to a higher state of consciousness. The final exit ceremony takes place in the temple (or initiatory room), where the initiate is presented to the Bwiti community.

The last initiation, Initiation Directe (the Direct Initiation), is for those seeking a deeper understanding of the domain of creation. It is conducted in the temple, and it is recommended to first complete one of the first three initiations (or all of them in any sequence) before participating in the Initiation Directe.

Each initiation is a week long, starting usually on Monday morning and ending on Sunday afternoon. They include purification rituals, meditations, contemplation, journaling, and other modalities that will be introduced during initiation. During initiation, mobile phones, cameras, or computers are not allowed.

Currently, Initiation Directe, Biyeyem Ozeng, and Mimbare are offered only in Gabon, while Mboumba Eyano can be experienced in Gabon and abroad in a retreat space. For more details, please contact us.

Q: Why do I need to travel to Gabon to get initiated? I see some people offer initiations and iboga experiences in different countries.

The Bwiti Tradition has its roots in Gabon and is deeply connected to the country's culture and spiritual practices. While some people offer initiations and iboga experiences in other countries, in most cases, the authenticity and completeness of the initiation experience can only be found in Gabon.

This is especially true for the Missoko Tradition, which relies on specific rituals like Ghedika (for men), Tsongi (for women), etc. that can only be prepared in Gabon for various reasons. Simply taking iboga is not enough, as these rituals are integral to the initiation process. While some ngangas (traditional healers) may introduce parts of this tradition in other countries, the Missoko initiation cannot be completed without these essential rituals.

On the other hand, Bwiti Dissoumba Fang initiations can be conducted outside of Gabon by consecrated and authorized masters called "nyma." These individuals have spent years studying the science of initiations and African spirituality. Only a few Westerners have become masters of the Bwiti Dissoumba Fang Tradition, such as nyma Gregory Puente, who offers Mboumba Eyano initiations in Brazil and other countries. There are several Western students currently studying the Bwiti spiritual science in Gabon with local spiritual masters or with nyma Gregory.

There are also a few Gabonese nymas who are authorized to conduct Bwiti Fang initiations outside of Gabon. However, many people and clinics that offer ibogaine or iboga outside Gabon use it for medical purposes, such as treating addictions, rather than initiation into the Bwiti tradition.

Q: What role does iboga play in initiation?

In Bwiti initiations, iboga serves several roles including purification, revelation, and opening.

In terms of purification, iboga assists in eliminating toxins and blockages, whether they are physical, energetic, or spiritual. The numerous alkaloids in iboga aid in attuning people’s energy centers and returning individuals to a state close to their original being after birth, and aid in overcoming addictions.

On a revelatory level, iboga helps reveal the underlying roots of problems, illnesses, and blockages that may be deeply buried within us. It can activate hidden memories that may be difficult to access under normal circumstances. It also helps us to recognize how to improve our lives and discover our true selves, beyond the societal and cultural facades that we or our society may put up.

During the initiation, iboga opens up pathways between our physical, energetic, and spiritual bodies, enabling us to connect with everything around us on an energetic level and allowing our spirit to have experiences beyond the confines of the physical realm.

Q: Can iboga be compared to other entheogens like ayahuasca?

We prefer not to draw too many comparisons between iboga and other entheogens such as ayahuasca or peyote. Our focus and expertise lie in introducing visitors to the Bwitist spiritual tradition. However, we can say that, unlike some other plant medicines, iboga does not have a hidden agenda beyond healing individuals and revealing the true nature of things and events. It also does not require an "energetic payment" after its use, as may be seen with some entheogenic plants that may deplete an individual's energy or harm their energy field (aura).

Our nymas and ngangas work with benevolent spirits whose purpose is to assist individuals in leading healthy lives on physical, energetic, and spiritual levels.

Q: Is it possible to undergo initiation in the Bwiti tradition without ingesting iboga?

Yes, there have been instances where individuals have undergone the Bwiti Dissoumba Fang initiation without ingesting iboga. During the divination that takes place prior to the initiatory rituals, it may be indicated that the individual should not consume iboga. In such cases, the initiation will proceed without the use of this plant, as iboga is only one of the many tools utilized in the tradition. Sometimes, people with health issues that are incompatible with iboga ingestion or those who are spiritually advanced and do not require external means to achieve spirit travel may also not consume iboga during initiation.

Q: What happens after initiation in the Bwiti Tradition? How can I continue to practice it?

After initiation, we offer several tools and rituals to help you stay connected with the Bwiti Tradition. For those who undergo the Missoko initiation, we provide an additional "Go Deeper Program". This program consists of four sessions (two sessions per week) that take place in the Missoko temple on weekdays or during the Missoko ceremony, where you can assist and gain deeper knowledge as a nganga of the beginner’s level. You can learn dance, songs, and spiritual knowledge about the tradition that you can take with you.

Another option is to participate in an Exit Ceremony, which accompanies every Missoko initiation. After completing this ceremony, you will receive a special spiritual artifact and corresponding divinatory practice that can help elevate your spiritual understanding of the tradition to the next level. With this artifact, you can continue practicing what you learned even in your home country.

 For those who wish to delve even deeper, there are several more steps and initiations available in the Bwiti Missoko Tradition to become a true nganga (traditional healer). These steps can be discussed and explained in detail to those who wish to follow this path.

 In the Dissoumba Fang tradition, there are also tools and practices that nyma can reveal to those who wish to stay connected with the lineage and continue practicing the tradition. Each of the temples we work with is not only an initiatory center but also a spiritual school where you can learn spiritual science. The amount you can learn depends on your availability and willingness to delve deeper, as with any subject.

Q: Will I become a shaman once I have undergone the initiation?

 Becoming a shaman, traditional healer, or priest in any spiritual tradition or religion requires years of dedicated study, practice, and personal sacrifices. It is similar to becoming a doctor or a pilot. The initiations that we offer merely provide an entry point to the Bwiti Tradition, but it does not automatically make you a shaman or a spiritual master. Additionally, it does not provide authorization to serve iboga to others. It is analogous to receiving baptism in a church, which does not automatically make you a priest, or receiving medical treatment in a hospital, which does not make you a surgeon.

Q: What is required for someone to be authorized to initiate others?

 As previously stated, becoming a nyma or nganga who is authorized to initiate individuals into the Bwiti Tradition requires several years of dedicated study, practice, and personal sacrifice. In most cases, this can only be accomplished in Gabon. In the Bwiti Fang Tradition, one must first find a spiritual school and a master, and be accepted by the spirits and the master as a nyma student. Similarly, in the Bwiti Missoko, one must be present in the temple of their master and practice alongside other ngangas to learn various spiritual tools and rituals. Throughout each year of study, the student must undergo and assist numerous initiations and rituals before eventually being consecrated and authorized to initiate others.

 During the final initiation, the candidate will be connected to the spiritual lineage of other nymas and initiatic elders and receive special knowledge that enables them to initiate others and be recognized by both the spiritual world and the Bwitist community of Gabon. Ultimately, the process of becoming an authorized nyma or nganga is a rigorous one that requires significant effort, devotion, and acceptance from both spiritual forces and one's community.

Q: How is getting initiated with Bwitiinitiations different from others?

 At Bwitiinitiations, we strive to create a bridge between individuals seeking healing, overcoming addictions, and spiritual advancement. Our initiations involve spiritual masters and ngangas who are connected to strong spiritual lineages and are highly respected in Gabon and internationally. We also prioritize the safety of people who come to Gabon through us. Our initiations are held by trusted masters for whom spiritual ethics is a priority.

We ensure that our initiates have profound and authentic experiences that are not designed for tourists but rather for individuals who are serious about achieving their goals. While some of our initiations may be challenging, they lead to transformative outcomes. Our focus is not on "plant medicine tourism" but rather on deep learning and respect for tradition. We also prioritize education for those interested in learning about African spirituality.

 While our initiations incorporate various medicinal plants, including iboga, our primary emphasis is on the initiation itself, which includes numerous powerful rituals and spiritual tools. We recognize that initiation is not a joke, but a highly potent spiritual tool that can fundamentally transform one's life.

Q: Why are some of your initiations expensive and where does the money go?

At Bwiti Initiations, our aim is to offer an authentic experience for those seeking initiation in Gabon. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Each initiation requires a significant amount of energy and the assistance of many Bwiti practitioners to help elevate the spirits of participants through various rituals, songs, dances, and more. The Missoko initiation, for instance, tends to be more expensive as it involves the participation of over 50 people working together for several days, which includes providing food, transportation, and customary gifts for the elder initiators. In contrast, the Bwiti Dissoumba Fang initiation is typically less expensive as it involves a smaller group of people and is designed differently. It is important to note that the money paid for initiation goes directly to the community. For further details on initiation dates and pricing, please refer to our calendar and contact us directly.

Q: Why there are not many books that explain the Bwiti Tradition?

 The Bwiti Tradition is primarily an oral tradition where knowledge is passed down from master to student. While some anthropologists have conducted research and written books on the subject, their understanding only scratches the surface of the tradition. Books written by Bwiti Masters exist, but are mostly in French, with English translations of some of them currently being worked on by our team.

We have prepared a list of recommended books on our website. Several titles are accessible on the internet, whereas others are no longer in print or exclusively available in Gabon. However, it's important to note that the true essence of the Bwiti Tradition cannot be fully understood through reading books, as it's a tradition that emphasizes direct experience and knowledge that cannot be described with words. While books or our website can provide information for non-initiated people, the depth of understanding and wisdom comes from undergoing the initiation and direct experience.

Q: On your website, I noticed that you offer an English version of "The Secret Bible of Africa according to Bwiti" book. Can this book provide insight into the Bwiti Tradition?

 Yes, this book does reveal some spiritual truths about the Bwiti Tradition, although it does not describe it in its entirety. The book's cosmology is more closely aligned with Bwiti Dissoumba Tradition than Bwiti Missoko. Nonetheless, it is a valuable read that sheds light on how the African Bwiti Tradition is linked to Eastern and Western esoteric knowledge, as it uncovers many correspondences. Our team has translated the original title "La Bible Secréte des Noirs selon le Bouiti (Doctrine Initiatique de L’Afrique Equatoriale)" by Prince Birinda, and we offer it as a gift to those who want to delve deeper into African spirituality.

Q: Is the Bwiti Tradition considered a religion? And if I already practice a religion, can I still be initiated?

The Bwiti Tradition is not a religion but rather a spiritual practice that is open to everyone. You do not need to renounce your current religion to undergo initiation into the Bwiti Tradition. In fact, it can enhance your personal spiritual practice and strengthen your connection with your highest power, regardless of what you call it - be it God, Allah, Buddha, Tao, Brahman, or any other name. Over the years, we have witnessed individuals from various religious backgrounds, such as Christians of several denominations, Buddhists, Muslims, Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and even priests, pastors, and imams, come to Gabon for initiation. The Bwiti Tradition welcomes anyone with an open mind and heart who desires to experience a direct connection with the Divine and their Higher Self."

Q: Why do we need to use an entheogenic plant for spiritual development? Many spiritual traditions do not use them and emphasize prayer and meditation.

It is true that numerous spiritual traditions do not incorporate entheogenic plants in their practices and instead rely on prayer, rituals, and meditation. However, it is also true that several spiritual traditions have used and continue to use such plants in their practices, including the Eleusinian and Egyptian Mysteries, some forms of Hinduism, various Taoist sects, Siberian and Pan-American shamans, healers and priests, and different African religions, among others. The practice of using specific herbs, trees, mushrooms, and shrubs to elevate one's spirit to higher levels has its origins in the early stages of human evolution. This can be traced back to Genesis, the first book of the Bible, where the first people ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil to enhance their consciousness. We can make reference to John M. Allegro's book, "The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross," which examines the connection between visionary plants and the evolution of religious and spiritual beliefs in human history.

Within the Bwiti Tradition, prayer and meditation are frequently utilized, but iboga plays the role of the rocket fuel, to elevate your spirit to the higher realms, faster than meditation. Numerous spiritual teachers, practitioners, priests, and mystics have attested that during their initiations they were able to reach certain spiritual dimensions and comprehend certain truths that otherwise would take them years or even decades of devoted meditation.

To further illustrate this, we can refer to the works of George Gurdjieff, a 20th-century mystic and spiritual teacher who described his teaching about the Fourth Way:

“The Fourth Way is sometimes called the way of the shrewd, astute man. The “shrewd man” knows a certain secret that the fakir, monk, and yogi do not know... The fakir takes a whole month of intense torture to produce the energy he needs, and the monk spends a week in fasting, prayer, and privations. The yogi, who knows considerably more than the other two, takes less time. He knows what he wants, why he needs it, and where to get it. He knows, for example, that it is necessary to produce within himself a certain substance, and that it can be produced in one day by certain mental exercises or by concentrating his consciousness. So he focuses his attention on these exercises for an entire day without allowing a single unrelated thought, and he obtains what he needs. In this way, a yogi is able to accomplish in only one day what would take the monk a week and the fakir a month.

But on the Fourth Way knowledge is even more precise and perfect. A person who follows the Fourth Way knows exactly what substances he needs to achieve his aim, as well as various methods for producing them. And he knows that, with the right knowledge, the same substances can be introduced into the body from outside. Instead of spending a whole day in exercises like the yogi, a week in prayer like the monk, or a month in self-torture like the fakir, he simply prepares and takes in all the necessary substances, and in this way, like taking a pill, he obtains the desired results without wasting time”.

Iboga can be compared to such pill that Gurdjieff describes, but its usage must be conducted within the context of the Bwiti Tradition and guidance of its masters - the nymas and ngangas. If an unprepared person takes it without proper guidance, it could be like suddenly bursting into spiritual dimensions, which may pose serious risks to the physical and psychological health of the individual.

In conclusion, it can be stated that Bwiti initiations have the potential to activate an individual's connection to the spiritual world and significantly accelerate their spiritual growth.

Q: I am not interested in spirituality and am solely focused on overcoming my addiction and health/psychological problems. Can initiation assist me with this?

Absolutely. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, personal histories, health conditions (with few exceptions), nationalities, races, and beliefs.

The initiation process begins with a period of cleansing and purification over several days, during which the individual works towards their desired goal, whether it be healing, trauma release, or spiritual growth. Nymas and ngangas play a role in this process, but it's important to understand that you also have a responsibility to actively participate. Initiation is not a magical cure that will solve all of your problems without any effort on your part. We encourage you to give at least 50% of your effort, while the remaining 50% will come from our Bwiti masters. The more you invest in the process, the greater the benefits you will receive. You must genuinely desire to make changes in your life and actively work towards them during your initiation. It's also important to note that while initiation and iboga can assist in reducing or eliminating addictions (including those to heavy drugs and alcohol) and improving health and psychological well-being, it's crucial to continue working on your environment and lifestyle after the initiation process. For example, if you have a food addiction and the initiation helps you gain a deeper understanding of how to maintain a long and healthy life, it's still your responsibility to implement those changes when you return home.

Q: Will I require a visa to enter Gabon?

From October 5th, 2023, citizens of all countries, except Morocco, require an entry visa to Gabon. Obtaining a visa is a straightforward process, and the simplest way to do so is to approach the nearest Gabonese embassy. Some embassies accept applications by post.

Alternatively, an e-visa may be obtained online, although you might experience delayed replies. We recommend the first option.

Which language is spoken during the initiation process?

French is the official language of Gabon, and our nymas and ngangas are fluent in French. However, the initiation process is conducted in several other local languages. Both Missoko and Dissoumba songs that are sung during the initiation and ceremonial rituals use the “Bwiti language” (the sacred language, which is close to Mitsogo), which is the liturgical language of the Bwiti Tradition. Fang people and international researchers also call it “Popé”. Additionally, Dissoumba Fang songs are sung in the Fang language, and sometimes in French. During Missoko ceremonies, you may also hear people conversing in local languages spoken in Gabon.

For international participants who are not fluent in French, we provide translations in English and some other European languages.