Figure magique "nkisi" · R. D. Congo, Bakongo/Congo Brazzaville/Cabinda Angola · ID: 3042931
Alain Guisson, Brussels, Belgium
Description
wood, brown patina, red pigment, mirror glass, iron chain, cord, cloth, bone, large receptacle closed by mirror glass in front of the body, calabash and seven animal horns on the backside, coiffure modelled with mass and adorned with decorative tags, strips of fabric wrapped around belly and ankles, entirely coated by red pigment, strongly encrusted in some areas, slightly dam., cracks, base.
As soon as the magical material “bilongo” was inserted by the witchdoctor, the object was considered to be “magically loaded” and its power “nkisi” could be activated by certain incantations. They were used for warding off witchcraft, diseases and thieves. Bad spirits or humans being ill-disposed towards others should be banished by the reflexion of the mirror glass in order to be destroyed by the magic material affixed to the figure. They were veiled, when not in use.
Littérature comparée
Lecomte, Alain et. al., Bakongo, Le Fétiches, Paris 2016, p. 184