Magical figure "nkisi nkondi" ·  D. R. Congo, Vili/Yombe · ID: 3035617

Description

wood, spotty brown patina, remains of nails in the area of the upper body, a rectangular container orignally attached to the abdomen (contours and remains of magical mass still visible), head with projecting chin and flat headgear (probably originally adorned with a package of magical mass), the eyes inset with mirror glass, min. dam., cracks, traces of abrasion;
as soon as the magic 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. The insertion of a nail for example could awake its magical power. Such figures should prevent evil of all kind and diseases. They were used for fortune telling as well.

Littérature comparée

Lehuard, Raoul, Fetiches a clous du Bas-Zaire, Arnouville 1980, p. 159, ill. 85