African shaman visits Wick
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A BWITI shaman from Gabon will present a musical performance in Wick on Friday evening along with drummers from Ghana.
The event at the Pulteney Centre is part of Lyth Arts Centre's new autumn programme and features a fusion of drumming and dancing along with traditional Gabonese instruments.
One of Africa’s leading traditional drumming groups, the Kakatsitsi Master Drummers from Ghana, combine with Mbilou, a ceremony leader, spiritual healer, musician and dancer from Gabon to present the unique set.
In Gabon Mbilou is a respected Nganga – a spiritual healer and ceremony leader – and works within the ancient shamanic religion of Bwiti, originally practised solely by the forest peoples of the central African rainforest.
The Bwiti use a psychedelic plant root called iboga as part of initiation rituals and extracts from this have been found to alleviate drug withdrawal symptoms for addicts as well.
At the Wick event, Mbilou will develop a fusion set combining Bwiti influences with the funky, accessible drumming rhythms for which Kakatsitsi have become renowned over 14 previous UK tours.
The Lyth Arts Centre event is on at the Pulteney Centre in Wick's Huddart Street at 8pm on Friday (September 6) with tickets priced £10 and £6 concession.
Tickets are available on the Lyth Arts Centre website.
