The Tribal Society

The Bongo people, also known as Babongo or Bazimba, are an indigenous group inhabiting the lush rainforests of Gabon, a country located in equatorial Africa. Historically recognized as “forest people,” they have traditionally lived off the land through a combination of foraging and hunting, embodying a lifestyle deeply intertwined with the dense vegetation that surrounds them.   One of the notable cultural aspects of the Bongo people is their role as originators of the Bwiti religion. Central to Bwiti practices is the ceremonial use of the iboga plant, a potent hallucinogen with spiritual significance. This religion has not only shaped their spiritual beliefs but also serves as a unifying cultural…