Power figure "nkisi"

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, mat and shiny, encrusted in some areas, metal neckring, glazed eyes with painted pupils, box with mirror glass in front of the body, probably filled with magical substances just like the high towering hat on top of the head, striking beautiful modelled face with individual features, like the shaping of ears, shoulders and arms showing nearly naturalistic traits, the leg zone in contrast extremely simplified, the left hand unnaturally twisted, probably once holding an item, slightly dam., abrasion of paint (face), small traces of insect caused damage (base), probably rep. (left foot/ ankle area), base;
“the “nkisi”-object is basically a container for animal, vegetable, and mineral materials known as “medicines” (“milongo” or “bilongo”) that expressed by their names, forms or provenance the aims that the “nkisi” was expected to achieve and the powers that enabled it to do so. In many “minkisi” (pl.) we might find leaves of the “lusakasaka” plant, that it might “bless” the supplicant. A single seed of “luzibu”, that it might “open” matters that are hidden or closed. “Kalazima” (charcoal), that it might “smite” evildoers, and always, white kaolin clay (“mpemba) to represent the presence of powers from the land of the dead. Most of the ingredients were first reduced to unidentifiable fragments or a powder. Without its constituent elements, a “nkisi” is nothing.
But not just their magical loading but even the gesture of the “nkisi” figures seems to have had special meaning. The posture of present figure with the raised left arm which once held a knife, is called “métanana”. Such “nkisi” were used for taking oaths or for closing contracts. Those who broke their word were punished by the “nkisi”. The threatening pose (raised arm with the now missing knife) attests a strong offensive power.