Power figure "khosi" ·  D. R. Congo, Yaka/Suku · ID: 3041652

Description

wood, brown patina, red and white pigment, the body entirely wrapped with strips of fabric, magical accessories: bird claw, feathers, bag with magical ingredients, old collection number backside “C 371”, slightly dam., cracks, minor missing part, base;
there are a number of magico-religious cults and societies among the Yaka, whose members use figures for obtaining special needs. One of these societies is the “khosi” (the literal meaning of which is “leopard”), whose figures are characterized by white and red spots over the entire body, or by the fact that half of the face is coloured white, and the other half red. Magical accessories were used to boost the strength and effectiveness of the figure.

Comparing literature

Grootaers, Jan-Lodewijk & Ineke Eisenburger (ed.), Forms of Wonderment, Vol. II, Berg en Dal 2002, p. 531