Retreats

We offer traditional Bwiti Iboga retreats in Gabon and Abroad.

We run authentic traditional Bwiti ceremonies and full intiation Iboga ceremonies in Gabon and abroad. Our facilitators are true Gabonese Bwiti Ngangas and Nimas by lineage. For ceremonies outside Gabon, we always run a ceremony at the same time in Gabon so that the connection to the land and the ancestors is maintained. 100% of the proceeds from the retreats is reinvested in projects that benefit Bwiti communities and that protect the culture.

Not for Profit

As a non-profit organization, Bwiti Roots directs 100% of the proceeds from our retreats back into the Bwiti communities. This vital income plays a crucial role in preserving the Bwiti culture and safeguarding the sacred plant medicines, including Iboga.

Rooted in Authentic Bwiti Lineage

Our facilitators, both in Gabon and beyond, hail from esteemed lineages of Gabonese Bwiti initiators. With deep ancestral connections, they bring forth the wisdom and traditions of their heritage, ensuring an authentic and profound experience.

Bridging Connections to Gabon

Through our simultaneous ceremonies held in Gabon and abroad, we forge powerful connections between participants, the land, the Bwiti community, and the ancestors. This immersive experience cultivates a profound sense of connection and enables a transformative journey.

Types of Retreats

TRADITIONAL BWITI FANG INITIATION

7-day Rite of Passage - Gabon

3 Days ceremonies

3 days / 2 ceremonies and focused spiritual work - international

MEXICO

6 Days Winter Solstice and Cultural Fusion Iboga Retreat - Puerto Morelos.

private ceremonies

On request ceremonies - International

Find out more

FAQ

While iboga can be a safe and effective plant medicine when used in the right setting and with proper guidance, it can also be dangerous if not used responsibly. It is important to only consume iboga under the guidance of experienced Bwiti practitioners who can monitor your physical and emotional state and provide support if needed. It is also important to disclose any medical conditions or medications you are taking to the Bwiti practitioners before consuming iboga

We recommend that you start cleansing you mind and body in preparation to the retreat. Abstain from alcohol and drugs and spend some time in meditation. Avoid eating heavy foods as Iboga can have a nauseating effect. Most importantly, leave all expectations you have behind. Remember that every Iboga experience is unique. The medicine gives you what you need, not what you want.

The insights and transformations gained from a Bwiti iboga retreat can have a profound and lasting impact on your life. It is important to take time to integrate your experience. Be prepared to have many aspects of your life change after you get back. The medicine will stay with you for a long time after a retreat and you will keep getting insights in your day to day life.

You will have the opportunity to stay connected with the Bwiti Roots community and the culture to continue your spiritual and healing journey.

The Bwiti iboga experience may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals who have a history of mental health issues, certain medical conditions, or who are taking certain medications may not be good candidates for iboga. It is important to disclose any relevant medical information to the Bwiti practitioners before participating in a retreat.

Our funders are based In the UK and in Europe. We mainly organise retreats in Europe but we sometimes organise retreats in other countries. Please follow our socials or get in touch to find out if there is a retreat organised near you.

For the retreat accommodation, we always carefully select a location that is affordable and can accomodate the number of guests. We ensure that is is tranquil so there are no disturbances. We look for places suitable to create a Bwiti temple.

In some cases, guests will be required to share rooms, in others guests will be provided with their own rooms. Price of the retreat will reflect this.

We will never have more than 10 participants per retreats. We can also organise custom retreats for your group. Just contact us to let us know your requirements

Bwiti Roots is a Non-Profit organisation. For this reason, we only ask that our costs to run the retreat are covered. If you are able to, we also ask for a donation to our NGO. 

This format ensures that the retreats are affordable for people who need to attend.

The cost to run the retreat will vary per retreat as it will depend on the type of accommodation and the location. 

We also offer payment plans to help spread the cost for anyone that needs it.

We will give you more detailed instructions of what to bring for every retreat but generally this is a list of what you should bring with you:

White clothes for ceremony; Sleeping bag/blanket /pillow; notepad and pen; 1 litre water bottle; small flash light; towels; small offering for the spirits and ancestors. (It could be anything meaningful
to you or something you think the ancestor spirits might like (eg: tobacco, spirits, perfume etc…)

While prior experience with plant medicine or spirituality may be helpful, it is not necessary to participate in our 3 days Bwiti iboga retreat. The Bwiti practitioners will provide guidance and support throughout the experience, and participants will have the opportunity to connect with the Bwiti community and culture.

We only open the full Bwiti initiation immersive trip to those who are more experienced with Iboga and plant medicines.

No, we do not offer Iboga provider training. Our commitment to the sacredness of this work goes beyond financial gain. In the Bwiti tradition, becoming a Nganga, or Bwiti healer, is not a career path one chooses nor is it a role that can be acquired through monetary investment and a few months of training. This calling is deeply rooted in lineage and spiritual selection, where individuals are chosen by ancestral spirits from birth. The journey to becoming a Nganga involves many years of dedicated learning and living within the traditions.

Offering provider training would not align with our dedication to maintaining the integrity of the Bwiti traditions. We believe in preserving the authenticity and sacredness of these practices, which are passed down through generations and deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual fabric of the Bwiti people.

Get involved

For information on how to get involved or on how to sign up to our retreats , please contact:

Bwiti Roots

+44 7445 499 504

Email: info@bwitiroots.org

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