Nkisi Figure – Nail, Wood, Leather, Bone – Yombe – Congo

Very complete Nkisi  fetish figure from the Yombe tribe of DR Congo. A Nkisi refers to the spiritual nature of the figure where nkondi refers to the power of the figure itself. Spiritual and religious specialists – along with these figures – become the village protector, legal expert, healer of the sick, revengers and are even able to end disasters.

Each nail represents a restitution oath, an agreement, episode in the village history…. or the number of crimes involved in the revenge.
Good condition with traces of wear and tear. The headdress made from leather and the backpack carries some animal bones.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer, former gallery owner from Ulm, (Germany).