Songye Janus Power Figure Nkishi DR Congo African
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.
Songye Janus Power Figure Nkishi DR Congo African:
$250.00
TitleSongye Janus Power Figure Nkishi DR Congo AfricaType of ObjectCarvingCountry of OriginDR CongoPeopleSongyeMaterialswood, horn, vegetal fibers, pigment Approximate Agesecond half 20th centuryDimensions12 inches H. x 3.75 inches W.Overall ConditionGood. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.  Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use. We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings. Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.Damage/RepairChips and holes in head, face and neck, large chip in base , shallow cracks, horn cracked and chipped, old insect damage arrested
Additional Information: An interesting Songye figure in the form of a Janus with two heads, a pair of arms and a pair of legs. The janus represent a male and female. The remain of a raffia skirt can be seen around the waist. The figure is covered with a black dark patina!
The horn enserted in the head was used to hold magical substances. Such figures belong to the category of Nkishi (plural Mankishi) usually recognized by the presence of magic elements attached to the figure the surface. These Magic elements known as \"Bishimba\" give the figure its magical power.
Many groups in the greater Congo area, and elsewhere, use art to meet the contingencies of everyday life through the activities of the local priest or diviner known as the Nganga. These individuals of great spiritual strength and inductive abilities use the rituals, secret formula and sculptures to heal and prevent the activities of malevolent forces. Sculpture often serves to divine the future, control one s destiny, and forestall evil-doers or to work magic and most importantly to gain the attention of the spirit world. Among the Songye and other ethnic groups, a sculpture such as this serves as the contact point between the spirits and the priest, it is where the ritual activity of the diviner meets spiritual presence.This is an important piece of Songye art and will add a unique object to any serious collection for what it represents.
Figures among the Songye generally served a common purpose as âobjects of powerâ but rarely are shown wearing a mask. Among the Songye âpower figuresâ more commonly called âfetishâ figures have different magical substances that the owner, the ritual and magical âspecialistâ considers important to give the figure power to act and the magical substances that load a figure with power are called bishimba. The specialist who uses the figure is known as an nganga, literally a âspecialistâ (doctor) who can cure, divine or direct magical power against others.
I have examined this piece and agree with the description.
Niangi Batulukisi, PhD.
**72408**
All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006
Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!
Please visit our About Us page.
Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on since 1997 and has received more than 45,000 positive responses. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with \'s Hall of Fame award, and by Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $100,000 in charity sales.
Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!
Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.
Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You\'re welcome to return an item within seven days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you\'re returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we\'ll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we\'ll refund the credit card.
Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to ten days or ten items, whichever comes first--then start another order.
When you\'re ready, just send us a list of item numbers and we\'ll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card.
U.S. Shipping: We use a professional shipper who has worked with us for ten years. He and his staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of his labor and the special packing materials he uses is reflected in our handling price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage.
International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer\'s responsibility. Please check with your country\'s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to offerding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below value or mark items as \"gifts\"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior.
Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter
Go to Africa Direct Store
Songye Janus Power Figure Nkishi DR Congo African:
$250.00