© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Michael McKelvey.

ClassificationsAfrican Art

Power Figure, Nkisi

Place CreatedDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

CultureSongye

Datelate 19th-early 20th Century

MediumWood, brass, bone, incrustation

Credit LineEx coll. William S. Arnett

Dimensions9 x 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (22.9 x 5.7 x 7 cm)

Object number1994.004.020

Label TextPower figures (pl. minkisi/mankisi) are found in many cultures of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These figures are usually male, and were used to contact benevolent spirits in the hope of curing illness, infertility, or other maladies. Various substances with magical properties, called bishimba, were placed inside cavities in the stomach or head of the figure to enhance its power. Local diviners were entrusted with the creation of the bishimba. Many of these figures are adorned with raffia, beads, and even ceremonial dress in an effort to increase the magical properties they possess. Often these additional adornments of cloth and beads are removed before the figure changes ownership due to the importance of the powerful embellishments in the figure's ability to function magically. This is why many figures no longer have beads and clothing when they arrive in the West.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Installation, Rotation 1, December 15, 1995 - February 1997
MCCM Permanent Collection Installation, Rotation 2, February 1997 - July 1998
Divine Intervention: African Art and Religion, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 5 - December 4, 2011
Published ReferencesMichael C. Carlos Museum Handbook (Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum, 1996), 112.

ProvenanceEx coll. William S. Arnett (1939-2020), Atlanta, Georgia.

Status

Not on view

Collections