Tribal Art

Tribal statuette previously consecrated by the priest nganga , it has a magical charge lodged in the abdominal cavity blocked by glass. The load or bilongo consists of various ingredients from the natural environment including red clay, red wood powder tukula, white clay pembe... , but possibly human fragments such as teeth, nails, hair. This fetish of conspiracy, established on a pedestal, was therefore supposed to influence adversity. The circular pupils are encrusted with white clay. The face adopts a menacing appearance. The arms are positioned around the abdominal cavity and the back has a classic arch that protrudes the buttocks of the character. The headdress is characteristic of the statuary Beembé and Yombé, other tribes of the Kongo group. The ropes symbolize the action of "nouer", spiritually "entraver" the enemy in order to prevent him from acting. The piece appears to have been subjected to libations that formed dull, grainy residual deposits, preserving the face with a clearer, satin patina of haloes. Desication cracks.
Among the Kongo, the specialist named nganga , took charge of the rituals by activating a spiritual force with a nkondi (pl. nkissi). The term nkisi was then used to refer to the concepts of "sacred" or "divin"These protective fetishes for homes are among the most prized in Africa. Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men, bulwark against diseases and evil spells. Large copies, nkonde , nkond i, are the collective property of an entire village, while the smaller figures belong to an individual or family. "The KongoU Gesture-0022 ed. Musée Dapper