Songye Nkishi power figure
African Songye nkishi half-figure adorned with many accessories and a beautiful patina of use.
Magico-protective objects played a fundamental role in Songye ritual practices.
The relationship with supernatural entities was concretized by the preparation of propitiatory artefacts (statues and fetishes) made up of various ingredients and substances in which matter was an essential part of their action, to the point of becoming, itself, an instrument of connection between humans and non-humans.
For these practices, the figurative representations, the mankishi, were “loaded” with magic ingredients and served as intermediaries between men and spirits.
The convergence between these ritual figures and the ancestors is probably the effect of an evolution towards a more centralized socio-political authority that took place during the 19th century.
02306
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 44 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- Soubry family collection, BE
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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African Songye nkishi half-figure adorned with many accessories and a beautiful patina of use.
Magico-protective objects played a fundamental role in Songye ritual practices.
The relationship with supernatural entities was concretized by the preparation of propitiatory artefacts (statues and fetishes) made up of various ingredients and substances in which matter was an essential part of their action, to the point of becoming, itself, an instrument of connection between humans and non-humans.
For these practices, the figurative representations, the mankishi, were “loaded” with magic ingredients and served as intermediaries between men and spirits.
The convergence between these ritual figures and the ancestors is probably the effect of an evolution towards a more centralized socio-political authority that took place during the 19th century.