Great Songye Nkishi power figure
Art and power in the savannahs of Central Africa
Impressive African nkishi statue with turned head, coming from the Songye. It is a statue of power intended for protection. The various accessories that are attached to it (pearl necklaces, skins, saddlebags, nuts, skins, horns, ...) or inlaid (horns, nails) gave it their supernatural power.
In more detail, the mankishi were generally used in magical operations winning group membership and serving the well-being of an individual or the community as a whole. Many of these mankishi involved the persecution of holders of innate and hereditary power, on the one hand, and holders of acquired and radically evil witchcraft power, two negative forms of magic that the Songye seem to have clearly distinguished.
As with their Luba neighbors, the Songye mankishi referred to any form of positive and protective medicine. Accessories such as horns and calabashes as found on the piece I am offering here, were often filled with bishimba, the magical charge.
01576
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 67 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- François C. Bazelaire, painter and sculptor, Bruxelles
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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Art and power in the savannahs of Central Africa
Impressive African nkishi statue with turned head, coming from the Songye. It is a statue of power intended for protection. The various accessories that are attached to it (pearl necklaces, skins, saddlebags, nuts, skins, horns, ...) or inlaid (horns, nails) gave it their supernatural power.
In more detail, the mankishi were generally used in magical operations winning group membership and serving the well-being of an individual or the community as a whole. Many of these mankishi involved the persecution of holders of innate and hereditary power, on the one hand, and holders of acquired and radically evil witchcraft power, two negative forms of magic that the Songye seem to have clearly distinguished.
As with their Luba neighbors, the Songye mankishi referred to any form of positive and protective medicine. Accessories such as horns and calabashes as found on the piece I am offering here, were often filled with bishimba, the magical charge.