Gabon

Gabon is a forest country known for Bwiti ritual, Fang and Punu masks, harp music and ancestor sculpture.

Spirituality & rites Crafts Music & dance Food & cooking Nature & herbalism

Knowledge in this place

Bwiti ritual

Bwiti ritual

Bwiti initiation uses iboga, harp music and night-long dance to meet the ancestors.

Spirituality & rites

Punu white masks

Punu white masks

Punu carvers shape serene white-faced masks danced on tall stilts.

Ngombi sacred harp

Ngombi sacred harp

The ngombi harp, seen as a female voice, leads Bwiti ceremonial song.

Poulet nyembwe cooking

Poulet nyembwe cooking

Chicken is simmered in palm-fruit pulp sauce for this national dish.

Forest plant knowledge

Forest plant knowledge

Forest peoples hold deep knowledge of medicinal and edible rainforest plants.

Nature & herbalism