Tribal Art

African statue Nkisi , nkishi (pl. mankishi) of Songye, it has a massive head in the image of the female mask kifwebe named kikashi. The arms are positioned around a bulbous abdomen pointing between a textile-wrapped bulge in which the magic load bishimba has been introduced and a skirt-loin of red fabric belted at the waist. The metallic necklace forms an additional magical accessory.
Patine mate, usual abrasions. Desication cracks. Eroded base.br-These protective fetishes for homes are among the most popular in Africa. Nkisi plays the role of mediator between God and humans, charged with protecting against different evils. Large specimens are the collective property of an entire village, and smaller figures belong to an individual or family. 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 inseparable from that of the Luba to whom they are related through common ancestors. Very present in their society, divination made it possible to discover the sorcerers and to shed light on the causes of the plagues that struck individuals. (ref.: Treasures of Africa, Tervuren Museum, ed. De Vries-Brouwers; Art and life in Africa C.De Roy; The Sensible and the Force Ed. Royal Museum of Central Africa)