Meet Our Team
Audrey (Braddock Ndjogo)
FOUNDER / NGANGA
Audrey, the visionary behind Bwiti Roots, is deeply rooted in her Bwiti lineage, tracing back to her mother’s side. Her mother, Séraphine, a revered Nima (Bwiti Shaman), passed away in 1999 when Audrey was just twelve years old, residing in France at the time. In her final moments, Séraphine expressed her heartfelt wish to be laid to rest in her village in Gabon. Honoring this poignant request, Audrey’s father embarked on a journey to Gabon after Séraphine’s passing.
Initially, Audrey struggled to comprehend why her mother had chosen to be buried so far away, as she identified primarily with her French upbringing and had limited awareness of her Gabonese heritage. Nonetheless, a strong connection to Gabon persisted within her, courtesy of her mother’s presence there.
Despite Séraphine’s physical absence, her profound bond with Audrey remained unyielding. As Audrey matured, an increasingly compelling force urged her to visit her mother’s grave in Gabon. Eventually, she undertook the voyage, an expedition that would unveil her true identity, ancestral roots, and purpose in life.
Awaiting Audrey since her mother’s passing was her Gabonese family, who instinctively knew she would return to fulfill her destined role. During her initial visit to Gabon, Audrey underwent an initiation guided by her aunt, Mamou, a Bwiti Nima. By the end of this transformative experience, Audrey sensed the imminent transformation of her entire existence. Subsequently, upon returning to the United Kingdom, she relinquished her corporate career and shed all inauthentic aspects of her life, creating space to pursue her genuine purpose —the same purpose that had resonated through countless generations of women before her.
Today, Audrey embodies her role as a Nganga, a facilitator of Bwiti iboga ceremonies. With her profound ancestral connection, she holds sacred space, both in the earthly realm and the spirit world, ensuring safe passages for all participants. Serving as a bridge between realms, Audrey’s presence guarantees secure and transformative journeys for those who seek them.
Roger
co-founder / nganga
Roger, one of the esteemed founders of Bwiti Roots, embarked on his transformative journey in Gabon back in 1977. Initially arriving as a development worker, he crossed paths with the remarkable Seraphine Avome Ntoutoume. Plagued by relentless headaches that eluded the remedies of doctors and medicines, Roger found solace when Seraphine extended her invitation to seek treatment in one of her family’s villages—an invitation that would serve as his first Intiation and introduction with Bwiti. While his physical well-being swiftly improved, his apprehensions and curiosity hindered him from fully embracing the profound experience. However, as he made subsequent visits to Gabon, Roger gradually grasped the immense significance and power inherent in the Bwiti tradition.
When Seraphine passed away in France in 1999, Roger resolved to repatriate her remains to Gabon and lay her to rest in Ntann, her ancestral village. Beyond being a tribute to her memory, this poignant act symbolized the village’s rebirth.
Ntann, once a thriving community nestled deep within the forest, had caught Roger’s attention back in 1978 when it was facing decline. Seraphine often reminisced about her vibrant and peaceful childhood in the village. However, by 1999, only a handful of dilapidated huts veiled by overgrown foliage remained, along with a sole resident—Victor, the current village chief.
Following the solemn funeral ceremonies, Roger felt an unwavering conviction to breathe new life into this languishing place. It was during a transformative visit to Gabon in 2019, accompanied by his daughter Audrey, that an initiation experience inspired them to establish the Bwiti Roots NGO.
Currently residing in a village situated in the picturesque Limousin region of France, Roger steadfastly undertakes regular journeys to Gabon, honoring his commitment to the revitalization and preservation of Bwiti traditions.
Mamou
Nima / Traditional healer
Maman Ogningue, affectionately known as Mamou, is a revered figure within Bwiti Roots and a vital presence in the Ntann community. Residing in Ntann, she has dedicated her life to the sacred practice of the Bwiti tradition. Since 2007, she has held the esteemed title of Nima, a recognition bestowed upon her by the Gabonese Ministry of Health.
As the guardian of the temple and sacred objects, Mamou ensures the preservation and sanctity of the Bwiti heritage. Her role extends beyond that of a caretaker; she is also a skilled healer and serves as the head of the clinic, offering both physical and spiritual support to those seeking healing. Drawing from her deep wisdom and extensive knowledge, Mamou serves as a trusted guide in the initiation journeys of individuals following the Bwiti Disumba tradition.
Mamou’s impact reaches far and wide, having initiated over a hundred individuals in the Medouneu region to date. Her profound dedication to Bwiti Roots and the local community has been instrumental in preserving and passing down the sacred teachings and rituals of Bwiti.
With her expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the Bwiti tradition, Mamou continues to inspire and guide both the members of Bwiti Roots and those who seek the transformative power of Bwiti.