Nkisi Nkonde (nail fetish); a fetish figure in wood; the surface is covered with a variety of accoutrements: nails, reed, shells, bone, wood, string and clay; the 'magic' receptacle in the abdominal area bears a mirror

Power figure, early 20th century

Kongoexpand_more

Wood, natural fibers, glass, metal, undetermined materialsexpand_more

The Christina N. and Swan J. Turnblad Memorial Fundexpand_more  71.3

On View in Gallery 250expand_more

It looks like a man being punished or tortured. But to its Kongo makers and users, this figure was a container, empowered by a ritual specialist to house a specific spirit. The figure was consulted like a traditional chief to settle disputes and arrive at binding decisions. Each nail and blade, driven in to energize its powers, represents an issue resolved by its ritual authority.

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Kongo, Nkisi Nkondi (#437)
Details
Title
Power figure
Role
Artist
Accession Number
71.3
Curator Approved

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Nkisi Nkonde (nail fetish); a fetish figure in wood; the surface is covered with a variety of accoutrements: nails, reed, shells, bone, wood, string and clay; the 'magic' receptacle in the abdominal area bears a mirror

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