Power figure (Nkisi n'kondi)
Kongo people's (Democratic Republic of Congo). c. late 19th century C.E. Wood and metal
Nkisi nkondi figures are highly recognizable through an accumulation pegs, blades, nails or other sharp objects inserted into its surface.
Completely Identify:
Nkisi n’kondi (Power figure)
Late 19th century CE
Wood and metal
Kongo Peoples
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Form:
Serves as a power figure (a magical form seemingly carved in the likeness of a human)
Imposing figure (leaning forward, wide stance) signifies strength and importance
Contains many different types of insertions, including nails, pegs, and sticks that each have different meanings (see content)
Sculpted out of wood and includes paint, metal, resin, and ceramic
Meant to be small and transportable → only stands a few feet tall
Function:
Strong sculptural tradition among these people
Used power figures as reminders of social obligations and enforcers of proper behavior
Brought healing and protection to the community
To symbolize an honoring of contracts and agreements
Serves as a mediator between ancestral spirit world and the living world
Content:
Wooden human figure (meant to highlight its function in human affairs)
Elongated belly button with cowrie shell (placed on its abdomen) - likely symbols of fertility, a link to their ancestors, and wealth (these shells were widely used as currency in the region)
Wide, staring eyes and imposing stance - to help ensure that no other forces would interfere with the fulfillment of its ritual function (in which the spirit would seek vengeance on the wrongdoer)
Often contain medicinal combinations inside them, covered by a piece of glass (glass represents the ‘other world’)
These reflective objects symbolized contact with the supernatural
The type of insertion driven into the statue would indicate the type of dispute/problem at hand, going into details such as severity of the problem, whether the dispute was resolved or not, etc.
Serves as a type of nkisi (plural minkisi) which acts as a container of sacred substances activated by supernatural forces that summon spirits into the natural world
Context:
Figures of spiritual importance and protection are very significant to the Kongo people
Confiscated/destroyed by missionaries of the late 19th century when found because they were evidence of sorcery and heathenism
Carved by a spiritual specialist (called the nganga) who activates the figures by driving nails, blades, and other metal objects into its wooden surface to make it “angry” and “rouse it into action”
Would be activated by a shaman by the storage of medicinal combinations (bilongo) in the head in order to create a link between the spiritual and physical world
Different items would be added to the combinations to call the spirits to do specific things
Cultural Questions:
What is the geography of the area, and how does it shape its art?
Mix of deciduous forest and rainforest
Wood is an abundant material, very common in Kongo art
What is the leadership structure?
Many autonomous villages with no central leadership
What are the social roles, including gender roles?
Descent is traced through female line, showing the importance of women in Kongo society
Leadership roles were generally filled by men, though women were able have these roles as well
What are the religious/spiritual beliefs?
Strong belief in contact and bond with ancestors and spirits
The presence of two worlds: the physical, real word and the spiritual world
Interaction between the two worlds was channeled through Kongo art, serving as a bridge between the gap
What ceremonies help define the culture?
Using minkisis (including this work) to ask the help of spirits of ancestors to help solve disputes in the community
Many Kongo ceremonies had to do with connecting and interacting with the spirit world
Themes:
Objects of power/authority
Ritual objects of belief
Visual/conceptual
Private/public affairs
Cross cultural connections:
Statues of votive figures, from the Square Temple
Malagan display
Penates (Roman household gods)
