Tribal Art

Animal figure Nkisi, nkishi (pl. mankishi )in which a magic charge bishimba is concealed. It is contained in a glass cavity placed on the back of the animal. The power of the fetish, according to local beliefs, was further accentuated by the presence of various accessories, such as nails, cords, metal. Among the Kongo, the dog, renowned for its knowledge of the supernatural world, had a role of mediator between the living and the dead. br /> The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembé, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo formed the group Kôngo, led by the king Ntotela. Their kingdom reached its apogee in the 16th century with the trade of ivory, copper and slaves. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced a statuary with codified gestures related to their vision of the world. These fetishes of protection intended for dwellings are among the most prized in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. The large figures are the collective property of an entire village, while the smaller figures belong to an individual or a family. In the sixteenth century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba River. 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.
Litt. "Africa, the Art of a Continent" Prestel (p.244)