Two-headed Nkisi figure - Songye - Congo
Nkisi / Nkishi statues in traditional African art of Songye, Congo
Pieces like this African statue, called Nkisi or Nkishi, are common among the Songye. They present themselves mostly in the form of a standing figure, belly prominent, arms bent and hands close to the body.Sometimes equipped with horns and accessories, they were used for the protection of individuals, family , the community or the whole village depending on the size of Nkisi. On this traditional statue, we find a peculiarity: the presence of two opposing faces, making this figure a fairly rare janiform piece. The heads are also miniaturized representations of masks related to the cult of Kifwebe among the Songye. These cubist-style stripped masks are linked mainly to judicial rituals.
Origin : gathered in situDating : 1960Size : 40 x 11 cmMaterial : wood
00429
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1960
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Country
- Origin
- Gathered in situ
Nkisi / Nkishi statues in traditional African art of Songye, Congo
Pieces like this African statue, called Nkisi or Nkishi, are common among the Songye. They present themselves mostly in the form of a standing figure, belly prominent, arms bent and hands close to the body.Sometimes equipped with horns and accessories, they were used for the protection of individuals, family , the community or the whole village depending on the size of Nkisi. On this traditional statue, we find a peculiarity: the presence of two opposing faces, making this figure a fairly rare janiform piece. The heads are also miniaturized representations of masks related to the cult of Kifwebe among the Songye. These cubist-style stripped masks are linked mainly to judicial rituals.
Origin : gathered in situDating : 1960Size : 40 x 11 cmMaterial : wood