Ngondet Bouana
A place of knowledge and tradition in the heart of Libreville. Maître Ghetsotso welcomes those seeking traditional, spiritual and initiatory guidance.
Nze Obiang Daniel Gérard, known as Ghetsotso
Initiated in the 1990s, he carries the spiritual name Ghetsotso. He holds the rank of Nima within the Bwiti Missoko Ngondet initiatory society, a power passed on to him by his spiritual father, Mondjo Étienne — Dipingou — originally from Mimongo, in southern Gabon.
A Gabonese national and father, Maître Ghetsotso now has over thirty years of practice. He has guided about fifty Bandzis — men and women, African, European and Asian — through their initiatory journey.
Also initiated into the Mwiri, Dissumba and Nzegho rites, he welcomes those seeking guidance, self-connection and reconnection with their ancestors. His teaching rests on three pillars: respect, work well done, and truth.
Explore our guidance
Coming to the Ngondet Bouana village
The village welcomes visitors from across Gabon and abroad. Coming here means preparing for an encounter: allow time to organise your trip before arriving in Libreville.
Visa & flights
Gabon is reached via Léon-Mba International Airport in Libreville. Depending on your nationality, an e-visa should be requested online before departure.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Gabonese e-visa to arrange ahead of time
- International flight to Libreville
Health & vaccination
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Gabon. Preventive malaria treatment is generally recommended.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required
- Consult a doctor or travel clinic before departure
What to bring
Bring light clothing suited to the equatorial climate, and an open mind respectful of the village's traditions.
- Light clothing, simple attire for rites
- Personal health kit
- Respect for the village's pace and guidance
The village is not a travel agency: every visit is arranged through direct contact with the office, to prepare your stay under good conditions.
The Ngondet Bouana village
Ngondet Bouana means "Bwiti in its stability". This village welcomes people from across Gabon and beyond, seeking guidance and direction. Since its founding, it has been recognised as a place of knowledge throughout the region.
It now brings together several Ngangas — traditional plant practitioners — and a single Nima, the highest rank in the tradition. The village is run by the Institut Franco-Gabonais des Savoirs Ancestraux, which oversees the transmission and preservation of these practices.
"Caring for the body, but also the soul and the community."
Life in the village follows the rhythm of tradition and the land:
- Subsistence — farming, hunting and gathering plants, at the pace of the surrounding forest.
- Rites — initiation ceremonies, rites of passage and moments of dialogue with the ancestors.
- Values — solidarity, respect for elders, oral transmission and protection of nature.
- Our challenge — documenting the elders' knowledge so the tradition stays dignified and thrives among younger generations.
Consultations, care & initiations
The village welcomes men and women from Africa, Europe and Asia, in person or remotely. Every session follows the respect, truth and diligence that ground Maître Ghetsotso's teaching.
Consultations & plant-based care
In-person consultations at the village or remote sessions, and traditional plant-based practices passed down through generations, in service of wellbeing and personal balance.
Purification & protection
Purification baths, protective work for the body and the home, cleansing of places, and support with negative attachments, following Bwiti rites.
Traditional initiations
Initiation into Bwiti Missoko Ngondet, the sacred path of self-knowledge. Initiation into Mwiri, a rite reserved for men, passed on in the tradition received by Maître Ghetsotso.
Iboga initiation
Iboga, the sacred root of Bwiti Missoko, is central to the initiation ceremonies passed on by Maître Ghetsotso. The village also welcomes people going through withdrawal, living with chronic pain, or with attention difficulties, in a traditional guidance framework backed by a prior health assessment and a nearby medical facility.
Please read before considering an Iboga initiation
Iboga is not a medical treatment and does not replace medical or psychiatric care. Its use carries real risks, particularly cardiac ones, especially for people with a history of cardiovascular conditions or certain ongoing treatments — which is why the village requires a prior health assessment.
For withdrawal, chronic pain, or attention difficulties, a hospital or doctor's consultation remains essential alongside any visit: the village's guidance complements medical care, it never replaces it.
Its legal status varies by country: Iboga is legal and recognised as cultural heritage in Gabon, but regulated or prohibited in several Western countries. Please check your country's legislation before considering the trip.
These practices belong to the Bwiti spiritual tradition and are not a substitute for medical advice or care.
Matsikapaya
The Institut Franco-Gabonais des Savoirs Ancestraux also runs the Matsikapaya shop, where you'll find the artisanal care products and items made at the village: traditional plant-based preparations, ornaments and ritual objects crafted using knowledge passed down through generations.
Ask about the shopWhat our visitors say
People from across Gabon have found peace, answers and transformation at the Ngondet Bouana village. Here are their words.
"My consultation with Maître Ghetsotso completely changed my outlook on life. I found answers to questions that had troubled me for years. An absolute moment of grace at the Ngondet Bouana village."
"My initiation into Bwiti Missoko Ngondet was a transformative experience. Maître Ghetsotso guided me with patience and wisdom. I found a deep connection with my ancestors and with myself."
"The meditation and purification session let me let go of a stress that had weighed on me for months. The atmosphere of the village, Maître Ghetsotso's wisdom... it's magical."
"Respect, work well done and truth: that is what I pass on to those who come looking for their path."— Maître Ghetsotso, initiator of the Ngondet Bouana village
Everything to know before coming
How long does a stay at the village last?
It depends on the kind of guidance you're seeking — from a simple consultation to a longer initiation stay. The office will suggest a suitable length after an initial conversation.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. The village is not a travel agency: every visit is arranged through direct contact, to prepare your welcome, accommodation and guidance under good conditions.
Does the village welcome foreign visitors?
Yes, the village has already guided African, European and Asian Bandzis. Simply arrange a Gabonese e-visa and the yellow fever vaccination certificate required for entry.
How does the first contact work?
You write to the office via WhatsApp or phone. A conversation helps us understand your request, answer your questions, and then organise your visit together.
Is the Iboga initiation open to everyone?
No. A prior health assessment is required, and certain health conditions (particularly cardiac ones) may prevent participation. It is not a medical treatment and does not replace medical or psychiatric care.
Get in touch with the village
For any consultation, request for guidance, or to begin the path of initiation, the village office will respond to you directly.
Message us on WhatsApp- Phone / WhatsApp+241 077 98 93 41
- AddressPlaine-Niger district, Libreville, Gabon