Artwork Page for Male Figure (Nkisi)

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Male Figure (Nkisi)

late 1800s-early 1900s
Public Domain
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Different from other figures functioning as defense against witches or misfortune, its “night guns,” or nduda, are missing.

Description

Nkisi is an object that is believed to host an ancestral spirit. Unusual among these figures, this nkisi figure is missing its nduda, “night guns.” These guns would be filled with gunpowder functioning as defense against witches or misfortune. Unless its guns were lost during the course of its life history, this nkisi may instead be an example of a more general type called mpanzu, whose functions included protection.
Dark brown wood full-body sculpture of a figure, chin turned up and chest entirely covered in scraps of brown cloth fragments and strings. Two clusters of these cloth fragments and strings hang down and pile on the floor. On top of the figure's head sits a circular hat with a light brown cloth wrapping around long dark brown feathers and a few shorter, burnt orange feathers.

Male Figure (Nkisi)

late 1800s-early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Vili-style maker

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