Standing power figure "nkisi" ·  D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3037763

Description

wood, partly shiny brown patina, sacrificial traces, typical posture, wearing a necklace made from glass beads, slightly asymmetrical facial features with smiling mouth and cheek scarifications, the face adorned with brass tags, surmounted by a horn on top of the head, rep. (crack in the area of the abdomen), cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
the localization of Songe statues is very difficult, because of various reasons (free circulation, destruction of cult objects, substyles).
Because of its big size present figure should have once belonged to a village or a community. These sculptures are created above all to promote fecundity and fertility or to insure tranquility in the village. Most frequently they bear the names “ya ntambwe” (lion) or “ya nkima” (monkey). Often these are the priestesses entrusted with their care and their appearances, particularly during the ceremonies of the new moon (the moon is regarded as the fecund principle). Rising above the statue, the horn is one of the most important elements of the whole. It symbolizes power, fertility and fecundity.

Comparing literature

Neyt, Francois, Songye, Brussels 2004, ill. 49