The Missoko Bwiti Tradition
The Study Of Life Itself
Bwiti is the spiritual tradition that comes with the use of Iboga. This is not a religion and it didn’t come from any human. There are no books to read or gurus to follow. The teachings of Bwiti came from the Iboga medicine itself.
Bwiti means "learning". This tradition is the Study of Life Itself. It is the art of learning, the art of thinking, the art of living, the art of being. It’s like having a spiritual handbook that gives you practical advice on how to master your mind, the nature of your soul, and the purpose of life.
The teachings are what we use to become masters of our lives. Shamans and elders will consistently provide counseling rooted in these teachings. We call this practice the Firetalk.
You cannot have Iboga without Bwiti, and you cannot have Bwiti without Iboga.
-Moughenda
The Teacher Of Teachers
The Firetalk was the original form of Bwiti. This is where people would gather around the fire and share wisdom.
Eventually the Bwiti discovered Iboga and it taught them the Keys to Life, the tools to create peace of mind and happiness and much, much more.
Everything in the Bwiti tradition—the music, the medicines, the songs—was taught to the Babongo people by Iboga and vetted through a rigorous process.
Iboga has been their sacrament ever since. They remain its shepherds and protectors this day.
The Missoko Bwiti
This tribe derives directly from the Dissumba tradition which is the original form of Bwiti. It is often seen as the trunk of the tree that leads to and contains the other branches of Bwiti, and Dissumba being the roots.
Missoko Bwiti specializes in healing and natural medicine and includes detailed knowledge of how to use thousands of plants and psycho-spiritual techniques for healing purposes.
Missoko Bwiti also contains all the other branches of Bwiti, which are:
Ngondé na Dipouma: screening or diagnostics
Miobé: herbs, plants, and their usage
Seguedia: knowledge, and creation
Boussouka: protection
Maboundi: empowering women
Missoko Bwiti is true to the original form of Bwiti that was protected from the French colonialists and perfectly preserved. There is zero French, Christian, or any outside influences. Much of what you read online is about the Fang Bwiti, who were heavily influenced by the French missionaries and merged Bwiti with Christianity.
As Missoko Bwiti needed to be hidden from outsiders to be kept safe, little can be learned about it on the internet or in books. Years ago, the Iboga medicine told Shaman Moughenda to travel to the West to learn the culture to eventually open up Bwiti and Iboga to the world.
Today, Moughenda has opened up his village to share the ancient Bwiti teachings with the world.
Bwiti is about what it means to be a human being, not a human doing; how to listen to your soul and appreciate the gift of life.
The Music
Bwiti Music is truly original in its sound and is an essential aspect of ceremonies.
Throughout ceremonies you will have singing from both men and women, each with their own set of songs.
The polyrhythmic instrumental music enhances the effectiveness of Iboga and also brings the ceremonies to life.
There are 2 main instruments in Bwiti ceremonies: The Ngombi (Harp), and Muogoungo (Mouthbow). There are also varying forms of rattles, shakers, drums, and more.
There is only one prayer in the Bwiti tradition:
Thank you creator for another day.
The Dancing
There are many different types of dancing found in Bwiti ceremonies and practices. Both the men and women have their own unique dances. Having usually started from a young age, they are incredibly skilled.
Dancers are decorated with red paste, white chalk, feathers, skirts, headbands, hats, jewelry, and leaves. They also sometimes wear bells and shells to create beautiful sounds that accompany their dance.
Moughenda Village
The Bwiti people live with the integrity that results from their understanding, respect and appreciation of the gift of life. They live with a genuine happiness, deeply connected to community, nature, spirit, and themselves.
Their teachings will show you how to create your own happiness and peace of mind in this modern world.