Tribal Art

Magical sculpture named Nkisi , nkishi (pl. mankishi ), it is a protective fetish of the Songye consisting of a cylindrical body and a head in the shape of the Kifwebe striped mask. The large digitized hands rest above a desecrated cavity, the magic charge being absent. This type of object feared by the Songye was moved by iron rods inserted under the arms of the sculpture. This copy has been equipped with wooden chopsticks for its handling. A necklace of tubular beads and an abundance of cotton cords and raffia rods adorn the bust of the sculpture.
Mate and kaolin brown patina.
These home protection fetishes are among the most prized in Africa. They could not be touched directly, which is why they were held with rods. Nkishi plays the role of mediator between gods and humans in the African culture. Large copies are the collective property of an entire village, but the smaller figures belong to an individual or family and are carved according to the instructions of the nganga . In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba. Their society is organized in a patriarchal way. Their history is intimately linked to that of the Luba to whom they are related through common ancestors. Considered experts in the field, the Songye also provided fetishes to the royal court Kuba.La society kifwebe of Songye, bwadi bwa kifwebe, was originally a police force of the authority in place that acted through witchcraft and used ritual masks. From colonization it gradually lost its influence. In the west of Songye country, the bukishi was using statues. Fetishists also used fetishes named boanga with magic charge attached or embedded.