Power Figure – Wood. Horn, Copper – Songye – Congo

Powerfull Songyer figure from DR Congo. Enormous wooden ancestor figure of the SONGYE tribe from D.R. Congo. Total length: 104 cm, total weight 14.5 kg!
It served to protect the family against diseases, accidents, bad spirits and bewitchment.

The Songye made power figures, Nkisi (singular) and Mankishi (plural), to combat witchcraft and sorcery. They were benign and were believed to bring good, promote fertility and success, vanquish enemies and protect from evil. Large ones were owned by and served the community; small ones were for individual families.

Adorned with additional objects, Bajimba, with magical properties (horns, skins, teeth, hair, feathers, beads, tacks, cloth, etc.), they gained their power not from the carver but from the Nganga, or spiritual leader. Their carving was considered secondary to their power. Often too powerful to touch, they were moved with long sticks. Although protective, these are confrontational objects, with a warrior’s attitude.Good condition with a beautiful aged patina.

Provenance: former private Italian collection.