Large Songye Power Figure NKISI

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Large Songye Power Figure NKISI:
$206.50

Democratic Republic of Congo
SongyeMid 20th C.Wood, metal, beads, raffia, animal skin, horns, seeds, unknown substances
74 cm + stand

Ritual \'power\' figures nkishi (mankishi plur.) are found all over the Songye territory with dominance on the western side of the Lomami river. The figures mostly depict standing humans, usually males, but also some females, as well as androgynous figurations are found. As few of these figures will portray real ancestors, others will depict the spirit of mythological or founding ancestors. In opposition to the feared actions of the Bifwebe, the magical function of figure sculpture, or mankishi, is socially regarded as benign. Power figures are carved either for a community\'s well being or for an individual to cure illness, bring wealth in offspring or good fortune in hunting. As such, their magical power must be ambivalent - both offensive and defensive - in order to counteract the forces of the evil spirit, which are at the root of the problem, and so to ensure prosperity. Figures are found accross Songye land, and therefore, vary in style, depending on their lieu of origin and influences from non-Songye in the vicinity