Africa

Africa is a widow of its Gods, the Primary Gods, the Early Gods, Gods of the First Culture... In fact, Africa is a widow from its Culture...
A divinity that is not praised on earth cannot give the psychic power necessary to his people to face the threats and challenges of life.
"African cultural facts will only find their deep sens and coherence by referring to Egypt, where the primary culture comes from" (Cheik Anta Diop).
Everything must be done to separate Africa from this actual spiritual food that is putting her in a deep sleep. In fact nowadays, we can notice a kind of universalising and unifying of people and religions. It is a vicious and dangerous dynamic: Each people has his own culture and could only grow and be more mature in terms of experiences by sharing about his own culture and learning about the others, which can only be possible if we all keep intact our own culture. "Create a universal civilisation means that each people participates by specific cultural share" (Cheik Anta Diop)

Iboga: a drug or an addiction treatment?

The Iboga plant is a perennial rainforest plant that grows in African rainforests, especially in Central Africa. The plant has small green leaves, white and pink-colored flowers, produces an orange-colored fruit that is elongated oval-shaped or round spherical shaped, and has yellow-colored roots which contain an alkaloid known as or called 'indole alkaloids.'

African forest people, especially those of the Bwiti religion in Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo, have been using the plant in ceremonial rituals (mostly spiritual ones) for ages. Amongst these particular people, Iboga is consumed in large doses by initiates of the Bwiti system and on a more frequent basis Iboga is consumed in much smaller amounts in connection with ceremonial rituals and tribal dances.

In smaller doses, the plant serves as a stimulant. Iboga is used by some tribal hunters to maintain their alertness.

According to some countries, Iboga, instead of being an addiction treatment is itself a drug.

What is a drug?

A drug is any substance that creates dependance, alterates a person's behavior and in so doing, deteriorates the user's body.

We could add so many bad things in a definition of a drug... As for Iboga, none of these occurs. You can take Iboga for 50 years of your life, you will never get this sensation of need you feel with drugs, your immune system will be as strong as when you started taking it, if not stronger; and you will be free of any addiction.

Now after reading this, do you really think Iboga is a drug? (go and answer the poll...)

The impact of our names

Your name is your personal connexion to your ancestors and spirits that have the mission to look after you.

It works as a link and awakes or spreads certain forces everytime it is pronouced, which leads us to the family tree.

In some traditions, it is believed that if a person finds himself in a very tough situation, he will have to say his family tree from himself to as far as he can which is the first ancestor to get out of this situation...

I am sure some of you have already heard people saying about a person that he 'reflects' his name, this 'reflection' comes from the 'power' spread by this incantation or prayer.

All this to come to this advice: choose your children's name right to spread the good around them and teach them the family tree...

Our Responsibility

What exactly is our responsibility in the struggle that is happening in Gabon?

When i say "OUR", i am talking about africans in general but Gaboneses in particular.

Should we just look at it and turn our back or should we try to fight an upcoming dictatorial regime?

If we decide to fight, how could we fight efficiently?

UNITY is the best arm. If all of us stand as one to say "NO" we will be listened to. We are "THE" generation of change. We must make a move beause we are the future of our country and continent.

Make a move and say NO

SCANDAL!!! What kind of a president will be Ali Ben Bongo if THIS has happened???

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08302009/gossip/pagesix/first_lady_in_california_exile_187157.htm

This is the story about Gabon new president's 1st wife.

To be continued!!!

Gabon: What's next?

Thursday, September 2nd has been the longest day in this Central Africa's country. As the new president has been officialy presented to the nation, many, if not all Gabonese fell into a big feeling of disappointment.

The worst has come. Ali Bongo Ondimba, son of previous president Omar Bongo Ondimba took over the power by a big Electoral Putsch.

The population, counscious of this unacceptable act, reacted violently.

The biggest questions today are: Knowing that people do not want him, will this dictator, abusing husband and uncarring father leave the power to the real winner of this election (whose state is unknown by the way, after been hurted in his head and shoulders by soldiers)? And what should we do to force him to leave the country?

30.08.09

According to you? Who is the next president of Gabon?

Gabon 49th Independance day

The August 17th 1960, Gabon became an independent country.

It has been 49years since then but things seem to go worse every year.

Oil producer, 3rd richest country in Africa in 2008 after Libya and Equatorial Guinea, this small country of Central Africa with a population of less tham 1.5million still has a lot to do regarding its developement.

It is considered by some developed country as a dictatorial regime as it has been gouverned by the very same President for 42years.

Today, as we are celebrating the 49th Independance day of this nation few months after the death of its 42years President, an issue has to be faced: who will replace him???

Polemics, debates, arguments are taking places around this question as his son is candidate at these enticipated elections. This raises another question: is Gabon a democratic state or a dictatorial regime turning into a mornachy?

Happy independance day to all Gabonese in the world./.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKBX6LA76GI

This is a video about a Gabonese traditional ceremony in which we thank God (yes God!) for leading a new Initiate in the wide ways of the Unknow...

The eldest (with the red hat in the video) explains a bit about our tradition and where it comes from.

Enjoy it

Who am I?

I define myself as a a young dynamic woman who loves African traditions in general and particularly traditions from my country (Gabon) which i am sure you will learn more about throughout my blog...

I enjoy reading, music, networking and... challenges of my everyday life!!! Crazy??? No... Just realistic...

I am a Public Relations student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town (South Africa). I really enjoy the course and wish to have a brilliant career in this growing industry...

That is me in the simplest way i could think about...

Welcome to my blog and feel free to post some comments or information relative to your tradition, wherever you come from or Public Relations.

Regards,
Carmelia