Power half figure "nkisi" ·  D. R. Congo, Nkanu · ID: 3032809

Description

wood, brown patina, camwood powder in some areas, various paraphernalia attached, animal horn and copper nails in the head, of crude form, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, on block-like base;
the small “mankisi” (sing. “nkisi”) are kept in the house and should protect its inhabitants. They were often handed down from one generation to the next. These small “mankisi” were even taken along when people left their homes. The most important thing was the magical loading (“bishimba”) of the “nkisi”.