Figure debout "mvunzi"

Description

wood, shiny brown patina, remains of pigments, with flat headdress, typical gesture: both hands up to the chin, several cavities (right face half, between legs) for insertion of magical substances (still preserved on the back), slightly dam., plate.
“Mvunzi” figures should protect humans against certain evil spirits. The main fortuneteller usually possesses such “mvunzi”, who employs them in cases of sickness, for theft or for the hunt. In many cases, for example with theft, a “mvunzi” possesses not only a protective function, but also an offensive character by acting against the evil spirit and imposing on it an even greater evil.

Publications

AHDRC: 0147186