The iboga ceremony is a deeply transformative experience, rooted in the ancient Bwiti tradition of Central Africa.
As a sacred ritual using the iboga plant, participants are guided through a journey of healing, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. This is why the iboga ceremony is way more than just a ceremony: it can be described as a bridge to the wisdom of ancestors, a space for profound personal reflection, and a path to reconnecting with one’s true self.
The iboga ceremony is a profound ritual with deep roots in Gabon’s Bwiti tradition, seen as a journey of transformation helping participants confront their inner truths, release emotional burdens, and reconnect with their purpose.
The sacred iboga plant keeps a huge role in this process, as the ceremony opens the door to spiritual insight and healing that can be truly life-changing.
We are proud to confirm that at Bwiti House, this ancient tradition is honored and preserved under the guidance of Moughenda Mikala, a 10th-generation Bwiti shaman. Participants are welcomed into a safe and respectful environment where authentic iboga ceremonies offer not just healing, but a profound connection to the wisdom of the Bwiti. For those seeking clarity, renewal, or a deeper sense of self, this sacred path is both powerful and transformative. Nothing less.
Iboga and ibogaine are often confused, but they’re not the same thing. Iboga refers to the whole plant, traditionally used in Bwiti ceremonies in Gabon. It contains a range of natural compounds, including ibogaine, and provides a deeply spiritual and holistic experience.
For an 8-9 hour psycho-spiritual journey featuring vivid visions such as life reviews, encounters with ancestors, and glimpses into the future, followed by 15 hours of non-visual processing states and profound meditation, fostering deep introspection and self-awareness.
On the contrary, ibogaine is a single compound extracted from the iboga root bark. It’s typically used in medical settings to treat addiction and other conditions, providing a more clinical, shorter experience focused on physical healing rather than spiritual insight. However, this approach often results in relapse, as it fails to address the root causes of addiction.
Good to know: Bwiti ceremonies with iboga provide a longer, more immersive journey that integrates spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. This is why at Bwiti House, this approach is really celebrated as a deeply transformative experience, staying true to its traditional roots while honoring the sacredness of the whole plant.
Preparation remains a fundamental part of the iboga ceremony, as it sets the stage for a meaningful and transformative experience. At Bwiti House, participants are guided through this phase with care, combining traditional Bwiti teachings with personalized support to ensure they’re mentally, emotionally, and spiritually ready for the journey ahead.
Here are some tips to prepare for the iboga ceremony:
Keep in mind that this preparation phase is just as important as the ceremony itself, creating a safe and focused space for profound transformation!
The iboga ceremony begins with a sacred fireside ritual, a central element of Bwiti tradition. The fire is not just a source of warmth: it is seen as a spiritual portal connecting the physical and spiritual worlds.
Picture this: participants gather around the fire to receive foundational teachings from the N'ganga (spiritual leader), preparing them for the journey ahead. The purpose of these teachings is to offer guidance, clarity, and reassurance, which is setting the tone for the transformative experience to come.
Regarding live Bwiti music, featuring instruments like the Mougongo and Ngombi harp, we can say that it’s also an important part of this phase. The rhythms and melodies serve as a “driver” for the experience, anchoring participants as they prepare to embark on their spiritual journey. So the music acts as both a guide and a protective force, weaving tradition and spiritual intention into every note.
The main information here: The fireside ceremony is where participants connect with Bwiti teachings, the spiritual energy of the fire, and the guiding power of music to prepare for their iboga journey.
As the iboga takes effect, participants enter a deep and immersive journey guided by the spirit of the plant. Many experience vivid auditory and visual hallucinations, even often encountering symbolic images, ancestral figures, or life reviews that bring profound insights. Waves of introspective thoughts arise, allowing individuals to reflect on personal challenges, emotional blockages, and life patterns with unparalleled clarity.
Physical responses are also part of the process. Changes in temperature, temporary motor skill impairment, and purging (such as crying, sweating or vomiting) are common and seen as a release of stored emotional and physical tension.
But don’t be scared: Bwiti House is making a priority to keep every participant cared for in a safe and nurturing environment, with individual mattresses, eye masks to aid focus, and constant monitoring by experienced facilitators to ensure comfort and security throughout the experience.
The main information here: The iboga journey involves profound visions, introspection, and physical responses, all supported by a carefully managed environment at Bwiti House for a safe and meaningful experience.
The day after the iboga ceremony is a time for rest, reflection, and gentle recovery. The15 hours following the journey are crucial as participants begin to process the profound insights and emotions uncovered during the ceremony. Many find that even as the immediate effects of the iboga fade, new realizations continue to emerge, offering deeper clarity and understanding.
Reflection is key during this period. Here, we are encouraging participants to journal their thoughts and feelings, capturing the messages and visions that surfaced during the journey. The whole point of this process is to solidify the insights and provide a foundation for applying them in daily life at the same time.
Processing and integration are not just about looking back: they’re about moving forward with renewed purpose and a clearer sense of self.
The true power of the iboga ceremony lies in what comes next: the journey of integrating its teachings into everyday life.
Why? Because the experience doesn’t end when the ceremony is over. In fact, it’s just the beginning of a longer process of personal growth and transformation. The insights gained during the journey often serve as a guide, helping participants make meaningful changes, heal emotional wounds, and reconnect with their sense of purpose.
Long-term impacts of the iboga ceremony often include:
You will be happy to learn that at Bwiti House, our commitment to healing goes way beyond the ceremony itself. Our facilitators are at your disposal to provide ongoing support, offering tools and guidance to help participants navigate their integration process. From traditional Bwiti teachings to practical advice, this continued care ensures that the lessons learned with iboga become lasting transformations in the real world.
Living with iboga’s teachings is about honoring the journey and embracing the opportunity to grow, heal, and live more intentionally every day.
Iboga is a medicine for the body, yes, but it’s also a profound tool for healing the mind and spirit. Many participants report its remarkable ability to bring hidden traumas to light, allowing them to confront and recontextualize painful experiences with clarity and compassion.
Therefore, by helping individuals process deep-seated emotional wounds, iboga is known for providing an important relief from conditions such as anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors, fostering a renewed sense of inner peace.
What makes iboga unique is its dual impact:
At Bwiti House, our efforts are focused on honoring this powerful combination through ceremonies that emphasize both healing and self-discovery. Guided by experienced practitioners, participants embark on a journey that integrates ancient wisdom with their personal challenges, creating space for lasting transformation.
The true potential of iboga lies in its ability to heal not just symptoms but the root causes of emotional pain. Our main goal: help you to reconnect with your true sef!
An iboga ceremony is a deeply transformative experience rooted in the Bwiti tradition. It typically begins with a fireside ritual, guided by a spiritual leader, and incorporates music, chanting, and teachings. Participants consume iboga and embark on a profound inner journey, often experiencing visions, emotional release, and deep introspection. The ceremony is designed to heal, provide clarity, and foster spiritual growth.
The effects of iboga can last between 24 to 36 hours, depending on the individual and the dosage, divided into 9 hours of spiritual exploration and 15 hours of processing states. The active journey typically begins a few hours after consumption and is followed by a period of introspection and rest. Participants are supported throughout to ensure their safety and comfort during the process.
Iboga is used for healing, spiritual insight, and personal transformation. Traditionally, it is central to Bwiti rituals for connecting with ancestors and gaining clarity. In modern contexts, it’s also recognized for its potential to help with addiction recovery, trauma healing, and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.
The legality of iboga varies by country. In some places, like Gabon, it’s considered a cultural treasure and used in traditional ceremonies. In others, it may be restricted or classified as a controlled substance. Always check local laws and seek guidance from reputable and experienced practitioners when considering its use.
