Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

Nkisi Nkondi figures are spiritual vessels created by sculptors from the Republic of Congo. Nkisi are protective spirits typically depicted as standing figures with hands on hips. They are sculpted from clay, wood, metal, and other materials. A cavity in this figure's stomach would have housed medicinal and spiritual objects to ward off malevolent factors. Objects piercing the figure and the pose further assert the figure's divine power and willingness to protect its owner.

Image of a man, stuck with nails and knives. Mirror in navel. Free carved feet standing on a block. Hands at hips. Stained white in most parts. Four flat pronged high headdress. Open mouth with teeth and tongue showing. Bracelets around biceps. Condition: Good

This nkisi nkondi (power figure) is missing the magico-religious materials that transformed it into a vessel for a spirit. Kongo people used minkisi (singular, nkisi) for various purposes. The nkondi type generally “hunted” witches and wrongdoers. Carved by sculptors, minkisi hosted spirits only after banganga (priests) placed substances inside to empower them. Like the nearby figure of Ity-sen, this sculpture appears to have been intentionally damaged to disempower it. Empowering materials were likely removed from its head, ...