Book Development
We are in the process of writing an Ebook, feel free to support this work coming to life!
Background
Hi, I'm Noah, I started this project due to the life-saving impact the Bwiti Tradition had on both my mother and me. At the time, my mother was burdened by severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks, as well as addiction to cigarettes and alcohol. It's doubtful she would have survived another two years.
Meanwhile, I was grappling with the aftermath of psychedelic overuse, teetering on the edge of mild schizophrenia. With Western medicine falling short, we embarked on a fated journey to Panama, where we crossed paths with Tembo and Mudanga.
In a single night, their Bwiti ceremony accomplished what seemed impossible: my mother's complete liberation from addiction, alignment with her soul's purpose, and the eradication of her anxiety and panic attacks. As for me, I underwent a profound personal transformation and was graciously invited to delve deeper into the healing power of Bwiti.
To this day, my mother and I are living testaments to healing, embracing health, happiness, and pursuing our life's true purpose. My love for the Bwiti tradition, and the incredible family that facilitated my healing knows no bounds. Each day, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I have regained my beloved mother, and I have reclaimed my life.
Presently, I collaborate with and learn from Tembo and Mudanga, as they've shared a traditional experience that helped me find what I was looking for my whole life. I want to help others find that too, while there are many ways, I found it through the Bwiti. This is the driving force behind this book, to share the Bwiti and preserving the Integrity of this Tradition.
Who is Tembo?
Tembo is a Nganga Missoko, a Franco-Gabonese hypnotherapist, musician, and former member of the international traditional Gabonese dance troupe Mbeng Ntam. He was initiated 25 years ago in Gabon and has since embarked on an initiatory journey that has taken him across Africa and the West.
In 2004, he moved to Europe and began leading personal development seminars as the right-hand man of his spiritual father. In 2015, he received permission from his peers to administer the sacred plant and subsequently trained in hypnotherapy and the patient/therapist relationship.
Today, with his extensive experience and knowledge, Tembo leads his own retreats with a therapeutic approach that respects tradition. He has worked extensively with both Africans and Europeans in workshops, seminars, and the ceremonial space, and is deeply experienced in the theory, practice, and science of African initiation culture.
What's so cool about the Bwiti?
Ah there's so much, where to start?! When I first attended a Bwiti ceremony, I was captivated by the vibrant traditional clothing, the intriguing basket full of sacred objects, the mesmerizing dances and songs, and the unique musical instruments. But what struck me most was how all these elements came together to create such a powerful, transformative experience for the participants.
Spending time in Gabon and immersing myself deeper into the Bwiti way of life, I was even more amazed by their expansive knowledge of the jungle's medicinal plants, the intricate social structure and roles within the village community, and the profound reverence they hold for the divine through nature, their ancestors, and the spiritual realm.
I found the concept of initiation to be ground-breaking. This idea of experiencing a death of identity before being reborn into adulthood, the profound psychological shift that comes with it. This led me into a rabbit hole where I looked into initiations throughout the world, and how in the West we have no real spiritual or social initiation.
Instead, we have more recent pseudo-initiations, evident in things like college hazing or family traditions. There's something in us that craves an initiatory experience where we can transform and become more than what we were. I think this is an area where the West has a lot to learn from indigenous cultures.
In the Bwiti, there seemed to be a real sense of understanding one's place in the world and within themselves that comes with initiation - a deep self-comfortability and assurance that is quite rare in Western society.
Here's a couple links to listen to the music:
Book FAQs
What is The Bwiti?
The Bwiti is a complex and multifaceted tradition encompassing philosophy, spirituality, healing, and community. Its use of the forest's plants, prayers, songs, dance, and spiritual forces offers a unique and powerful approach to understanding oneself and one's place in the world.
Rooted in the wisdom and energy of the Gabonese jungle, the Bwiti views everything in the universe as fundamentally interconnected and equal. This ancient and profound tradition provides a distinctive and powerful path for connecting with the divine, cultivating meaningful relationships, exploring the human experience, and engaging more deeply with life itself.
Beyond its philosophical and spiritual dimensions, the Bwiti is a powerful force for cultural and social cohesion within Gabon. It offers practitioners a way to connect with their ancestral heritage and maintain a profound sense of belonging and community. Bwiti ceremonies, characterized by music, dance, and other rich rituals, often go on for several days, further reinforcing these vital communal ties.
Why Preserve the Bwiti?
The Bwiti is starting to become more well-known in the West. While this is a great thing, it comes with its own unique challenges. Often, as spiritual traditions from around the world come to the West, they can become altered or transformed. During this process, spirituality from rich cultures can be heavily influenced by a mixing of spiritual concepts, philosophies, or values. There is nothing inherently wrong with the many beautiful spiritual paths and perspectives around the world. However, we simply want to do our part to preserve and understand the Bwiti as it has been learned, understood, and lived by our ancestors.
How long will this book be?
We have conducted extensive interviews with Tembo, resulting in hours of recorded conversations. Our goal is to create a book that flows naturally, drawing the reader into the rich cultural and historical perspectives shared by Tembo. Rather than a rigid question-and-answer format, we aim to weave these insightful discussions into a narrative that evokes a sense of place, as if the reader is sitting beside a fire in the Gabonese jungle, listening to the voice of the Bwiti itself.
The final page count is yet to be determined, as we continue to refine and build upon the material with Tembo's permission. Our aim is to create a substantial work that provides a full exploration of the topics, but we do not intend for it to be a dense, academic book. Instead, we envision a book that is accessible and engaging for a general audience, allowing Tembo's wisdom and experiences to shine through.
Overall, the length of the book will be guided by the richness of the content and Tembo's willingness to share his knowledge and perspectives. We are committed to presenting a work that does justice to the depth and significance of the subject matter, while maintaining a readable and compelling narrative flow.
Risks and challenges
All risks and challenges will be overcome with your help!
We need to raise enough money to support the entire process, including interviews, translation, transcription, editing, graphic design, and publishing.
This book will be of special interest to anyone who loves the works of authors like Carlos Castaneda and Melidoma Somé, or who is interested in learning more about African spirituality, traditions, and ancestry.
The profits from this book will go towards our mission of preserving the culture of the Bwiti and giving back to communities in Gabon. So please, share this project with your friends and help us bring this important work to life!