Héritage Galerie - Art Africain Traditionnel

Songye Nkishi power figure - €485.00

African Art Songye: Power

African fetish with a ringed neck, probably from the Lubefu and Lomami region. The neck is very long, the cap hairstyle is thrown back, the eyes are represented by cowries.

Conjugation of both ritual and worship, these statues called mankishi (nkishi in the singular) also have a cosmic dimension whose energies are closely linked.
They are the work of the sculptor, the blacksmith and the nganga. The latter, a ritual specialist, has beneficial and protective powers which are far superior to the evil magic of sorcerers, whose secrets they also know, and which allow them, among other things, to thwart the manipulations of mikishi (wandering spirits become evil).

The nganga makes a bwanga, object or amalgam of objects, depending on the objective to be achieved, whether it is protection, healing, procreation ... These are the incorporated charges, called bishimba, and of which only the nganga knows. the secret and the composition, which will allow the achievement of the desired effect.
Nkishi is a special form of bwanga. Statues over 60cm (the largest can reach 130cm) are meant to protect the community, while the smaller ones are mankishi related to personal protection.

In African art, the Songye styles are extremely varied, including the Belande, the Eki, the Kalebwe, the Nsapo-Nsapo and the Milembwe. The most remarkable effigies are made of wood, metal, nails, rivets, shells, feathers, skins, bones… and of course, have their magical charges.

Songye Nkishi power figure - €3,500.00

This major Songye power figure, nkishi, stands out for its strong sculptural presence and particularly refined execution. Coming from the private collection of Bob Berete, a historic and widely respected figure in the tribal art market, this work belongs to a lineage of important discoveries that have entered leading museums and prestigious private collections. Such provenance gives the piece exceptional artistic and documentary value.

The sculpture displays a powerful vertical structure, dominated by a head with firm, balanced volumes, topped by a crest-like element that reinforces its spiritual authority. The face, with its controlled and geometric features, conveys vigilance and restraint. The compact torso is centered around a ventral cavity, a key element of mankishi figures, intended to contain the magical substances that activate their power. The presence of beads, nails, and ritual materials attests to sustained and effective ritual use. The deep, dark patina results from repeated handling and the application of ritual substances.

Among the Songye, the nkishi played a central role in social and spiritual regulation. It was used for protection, justice, healing, and the maintenance of community balance. Activated by a nganga, the figure embodied an autonomous force capable of addressing threats and restoring order. Both a sculptural masterpiece and an active spiritual entity, this Songye nkishi powerfully expresses the symbolic depth and formal excellence of Central African art.

Kongo Nkisi Nkondi fetish figure - €340.00

In traditional African art, the nkondi (pl. minkondi) or nkonde nail fetishes occupy a prominent place. These are emblematic statues charged with magic, used during rituals of the Kongo people.

The term "nkondi" derives from the verb "konda", meaning "to hunt", reflecting their function as spiritual "hunters" charged with tracking down and punishing evildoers, sorcerers or enemies.

To this end, the fetish can, as is the case here, present a raised arm which is sometimes accompanied by a weapon. The facies is generally expressive in order to accentuate the threat.

These tribal figures, often anthropomorphic, are designed by religious specialists called nganga.

They contain sacred materials, or bilongo, placed in cavities, generally at the level of the abdomen, and sealed by mirrors or reflective surfaces.

Nails or other sharp objects, more or less numerous, are driven all over the body and serve to "awaken" the spirit of the nkondi, thus activating its power to protect the community or seal oaths.

The minkondi illustrate the complexity of Bakongo beliefs, where the visible and the invisible interact to maintain social and spiritual order. They bear witness to a rich artistic and religious tradition, where art is intimately linked to healing and justice practices.