Fetish

The Songyé call bishimba to the magical load that lies within the horn that rises on the head of its fetish statues. This horn is a vital symbol par excellence because its external form represents the male sexual organ and the internal one the female being the union of both the beginning of life. These fetishes are adorned by a great profusion of magical elements from small bags containing additional magical loads to, padlocks, shells, other horns zoomorphic remains or human figurines. They are meant to be honored in family altars for protection and large ones are preserved in special shrines entrusted to a Nganga or priest.