Large Kongo Nkisi Nkonde figure
Bakongo fetish in African Tribal Art
This highly imposing and striking Nkisi Nkondo statue of the Kongo people, is carved from wood and represents a male figure. The figure has small cap of hair to the head and the face is highly expressive with the eyes painted and inlaid with glass. The nostrils and flared and the mouth is open to reveal rows of sharp teeth. The figure leans forward slightly and is naked. The body has a raised cavity to the stomach which is sealed and most likely still contains the sacred substances that were used to activate it. The body is covered in numerous nails and crescent shaped blades that pierce the surface. The hands are to the genital region and are bound with rope.
The Kongo people create a number of Nkisi figures, primarily to act as guardians of the village and of individuals within who have had them made for specific reasons. They are consulted by diviners who seek answers to various situations that may arise within the community. The Nkondi figures are the more aggressive form of Nkisi and the name means "hunter". In this role they are used to hunt down wrong doers and witches. The figures are made by ritual specialists called a Nganga so that they can act as a home for a spirit. The statue is usually placed in a graveyard to ritually charge the statue. The Nganga and the person who has commissioned the statue, will then perform a ceremony where the nails and blades are licked by both before being driven into the figure. This acts as a form of petition to the dwelling spirit, but also awakens and enrages it to act on the task that it was created for.
01393
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1950
- Size
- 76 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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Bakongo fetish in African Tribal Art
This highly imposing and striking Nkisi Nkondo statue of the Kongo people, is carved from wood and represents a male figure. The figure has small cap of hair to the head and the face is highly expressive with the eyes painted and inlaid with glass. The nostrils and flared and the mouth is open to reveal rows of sharp teeth. The figure leans forward slightly and is naked. The body has a raised cavity to the stomach which is sealed and most likely still contains the sacred substances that were used to activate it. The body is covered in numerous nails and crescent shaped blades that pierce the surface. The hands are to the genital region and are bound with rope.
The Kongo people create a number of Nkisi figures, primarily to act as guardians of the village and of individuals within who have had them made for specific reasons. They are consulted by diviners who seek answers to various situations that may arise within the community. The Nkondi figures are the more aggressive form of Nkisi and the name means "hunter". In this role they are used to hunt down wrong doers and witches. The figures are made by ritual specialists called a Nganga so that they can act as a home for a spirit. The statue is usually placed in a graveyard to ritually charge the statue. The Nganga and the person who has commissioned the statue, will then perform a ceremony where the nails and blades are licked by both before being driven into the figure. This acts as a form of petition to the dwelling spirit, but also awakens and enrages it to act on the task that it was created for.