Fetish Nkissi Pens
Kongo Vili · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reference: FET-82
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- Height
- 50 cm
- Material
- Wood, nails, rope, feathers, bilongo and pigments.
The statues Minkissi ( sing.: Nkissi) of the Kongolike all the Nkissi, are protective figures that acquire their strength and power after being loaded by the…
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Full original description
The statues Minkissi ( sing.: Nkissi) of the Kongolike all the Nkissi, are protective figures that acquire their strength and power after being loaded by the Nganga with all the magic ingredients needed to reach the intended end. The name Nkissi comes from the objects from which fetishes Nkondi are carriers, means sacred. These objects, which contain the magic load, can be small bags with certain herbs or substances, roots, small statuettes, hair, shells, beaks and nails, bones or multitude of elements, which after being loaded will acquire their magical potential. These charges, nkissithey are placed on the head or belly of the nkondi, hence the name Nkissi-nkondi. The magic charge, bilongois intended to cure, to favor good hunting, fishing or harvesting and mainly to protect against witchcraft and the evil effects of sorcery Kindoki. But if proper use is not made it can have a negative effect.
These statues are not intended to be contemplated but manipulated by the Nganga They must act so that through their mediation beings from beyond can intervene either by protecting or causing harm. These hidden forces are neither good nor bad, which is why they must be guided by the specialist to emerge the effect sought by the client, such as fighting a spell, healing a disease, clarifying a crime or favoring hunting or childbirth.
Piece whose body is fully covered with nails except for the bilongo or magical load. A large strand of black feathers comes out of the head as hair. You can't see his eyes.
Further technical information
- Width
- 18 cm
- Attributed period
- First third of the century XX.
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.