Small power figure "nkisi" ·  D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3034897

Description

wood, dark brown patina, remains of a loincloth, attached paraphernalia (small sticks, animal horns), drilled ears and hole on top of the head, eyes inset with cowrie snails, min. dam., wooden socle;
smaller “mankisi” (sing. - nkisi) were kept inside the house in order to 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.