Power figure "nkisi" with turned head
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of camwood powder and black paint, plaited plant fibre strings, animal skin, remains of raffia bast and lizard skin as well as a tortoise shell attached to the body, aglets and metal tags in the head, hole in the parting (the originally inserted animal horn missing), characteristic posture, facial form and features, mouth with pointed teeth, dam., minor missing parts and abrasion, cracks (neck and head right hand side), traces of insect caused damage, traces of old age and weathering;
Songe “mankisi” can be generally divided into two basic categories depending on size. Large examples are the collective property of a village and serve community needs, wheras small figures are personal belongings of an individual or at the most a family. The literature speaks of community “mankisi” and personal “mankisi”. The latter were meant to preserve womens fertility, they also protected against sorcerers, guarded the home against lightning, or ensured good harvest. The majority of personal “mankisi” were discarded soon after their production, for once the desired effect was attained, the empowering substances lost their efficacy.