55 years in Gabon
Hugues Obiang Poitevin, known to all as Tatayo ("Fruit of the Wind"), has been in Gabon since 1976. He has lived there for 55 years, became a Gabonese citizen and settled permanently in Libreville.
In 1979, he became the first Westerner initiated into Bwiti Fang in Gabon. In 1994, he was then initiated into the Missoko traditions. Later, he was initiated into Bwiti Missoko Ngonde na Dipouma, and built his own Bwiti temple.
Fixer of the Pays Profond
Tatayo is fixer and co-fixer, to date, of 24 documentaries on the various traditions of the Pays Profond (the deep country of Gabon). This bridge-builder work between tradition holders and international filmmakers has significantly contributed to the preservation and dissemination of Bwiti and Bantu knowledge.
The passer
After guiding nearly 70 Westerners to Gabonese villages for their initiation, Tatayo has now directly initiated more than 350 banzis, and indirectly supported thousands of Gabonese people. For nearly 50 years he has played the role of passer between Bwiti tradition and the outside world, within a rigorously ethical framework and always under the authority of the nganga and tradition holders.
From 1981 NGO to Ebando 1999
Tatayo co-founded his first Gabonese NGO as early as 1981. It gave rise, in 1999, to the Ebando association ("rebirth" in Tsogho), which continues its transmission work to this day.