Although nkisi nkondi have probably been made since at least the sixteenth century, the specifically nailed figures were most likely made in the northern part. That power was represented as a presiding authority and enforcing lord or king. A nkisi is a container that holds an ancestral spirit as well as empowering materials or medicines. Nkondi often referred to as nail fetishes are an aggressive type of nkisi that are thought to be activated by having nails driven into them. One tradition of the kongo people of westcentral africa holds that the god funza gave the world the first nkisi. Nkisi nkondi figures are highly recognizable through an accumulation pegs, blades, nails or other sharp objects inserted into its surface. A lost african civilization, and a sculpture that tells its story the. Priests of palo are known as paleros, tatas men, yayas women or nganguleros. Connections one of the figures legs and other parts of his body have been eaten away by termites, small bugs that primarily eat wood. Describe how an nkisi nkonde changes over time and becomes a visual record of a community. Nkisi nkondi figures come from the kongo people, a bantu ethnic group located in the presentday democratic republic of the congo. Cloth and tied bundles, like those seen in abundance on this nkisi, have multiple interpretations. The nkisi s power is further enhanced by the addition of two miniature minkisi, one with a cowry embedded in its stomach and the other encrusted with a thick layer of medicines. Media in category nkisi the following 74 files are in this category, out of 74 total.
It is frequently applied to a variety of objects used throughout the congo basin in central africa especially in the territory of cabinda that are believed to contain spiritual powers or spirits. These minkisi are wooden figures representing a human or animal such as a dog nkisi kozo. Each nail and blade, driven in to energize its powers, represents an issue resolved by its ritual authority. Each artwork lends itself to a different type of discussions, but i believe that any artwork has a meaning already in it that we and. The nganga fills special cavities in the sculpture, generally in the head and stomach region, with materials such as ash, soil, herbs, and animal parts. An active nkisi requires the rituals of its nganga, and it always contains medicines, materials with potential spiritual powers. Just to be clear, there is no single best book on aesthetics. Power figure nkisi nkondi, kongo peoples smarthistory. Nkisi nkondi, from the collection of the brooklyn museum. Nkisi nkondi figures come from the kongo people, a bantu ethnic. Africa powermagic figure nkisi from the bakongo people. Some nkisi figures, called nkisi nkondi, had aggressive stances to intimidate enemies, deflect malevolent spells, and warn bargainers to abide by their agreements. Students study the iconography of a ghanaian drum and investigate its meanings in terms of the history and cultural traditions of ghana. The term nkisi refers to spiritinvested objects that were empowered with medicinal and magical ingredients called bilongo.
A nkisi begins with a wooden sculpture, often anthropomorphic or zoomorphic in shape. Nkisi is a general term referring to spirits and the objects that house them. T1 power figure nkisi nkondi au berzock, kathleen bickford. The word nkisi refers to the spirit of the figure meanwhile the word nkondi refers to the figure itself. A nkisi nkondi can act as an oath taking image which is used to resolve verbal disputes or lawsuits mambu as well as an avenger the term nkondi means hunter or guardian if sorcery or any form of evil has been committed. Wood, iron, glass, resin, kaolin, pigment, plant fiber, cloth, 33 78 x 34 x 11 in. Kongo peoples, nkisi nkondi, 19th century, armand collection. The figures posture and gesture, leaning forward with hands placed akimbo on the hips, is the aggressive attitude of one who challenges fearlessly. The five best introductory books on aesthetics the daily. An 800page scholarly overview is unlikely to be best for someone looking for a short beginnerfriendly introduction.
The raised arm of the figure in this image, which originally held a weapon, identifies it as an nkisi nkondi. Nkisi nkondi nail figure from central africa century. In the case of this male figure, the bilongo are enclosed in the cap on the head and in the mirrorsealed resin packet on the abdomen. Medicinal combinations called bilongo are sometimes stored in the head of the figure but frequently in the belly of the figure which is shielded by a piece of glass, mirror or other reflective surface. Power figure nkisi nkondi congo african arte gallery. History of medicine archives page 5 of 11 the devils tale. Destierro displacement creates a relationship between religious faith and the peoples trust in the effectiveness of its rulers. The practice of myal as a spirit possession originated in jamaica. Kha and his wife meryt before osiris detail from the book of the dead 10 art. Male figure nkisi nkondi the art institute of chicago.
Because many of the nkondi collected in the nineteenth century were activated by having nails driven into them, they were often called nail fetishes in travel writing, museum catalogs, and art history literature. Nkondi refers more specifically to the category of objects once referred to as nail fetishes but now more diplomatically called power figures. Nkisi nkondi wooden statues of male figures, commonly used in african cultures to serve societal functions such as swearing oaths and settling disputes when activated by a ritual specialist. This page contains a list of the best introductory books on aesthetics. They were also used to punish people who swore false oaths and villages which broke treaties. Because many of the nkondi collected in the nineteenth century were activated by having nails driven into them, they were often called nail fetishes in travel writing, museum catalogs and art history literature. As the josiah charles trent intern for the history of medicine. Nkisi figures of the lower congo by zdenka volavkova rand.
The earliest representation of an nkisi in this pose can be seen in the coat of arms of. Serves as a type of nkisi plural minkisi which acts as a container of sacred substances activated by supernatural forces that summon spirits into the natural world. Power figure nkisi nkondi, kongo peoples democratic republic of the. Nkisi, plural minkisi, in westcentral african lore, any object or material substance invested with sacred energy and made available for spiritual protection. Important agreements could be sealed in front of the figure, which would then punish. Introducing the minkisi minkondi sculptures youtube. A fascinating example of a nkisi can be found in a power figure called nkisi nkondi a power figure is a magical charm seemingly carved in the likeness of human being, meant to highlight its function in human affairs. When brought to life, they are believed to have the. The mirrorcovered stomach pack and other amulets and containers identify this figure as a nkisi, and its aggressive pose the upraised arm originally held a blade suggests it is a nkondi hunter type. The figure is a nkisi plural minkisi of the type known as nkondi plural minkondi from the congo basin in west central africa.
The art institute of chicago, ada turnbull hertle endowment, 1998. Wooden statues of male figures, commonly used in african cultures to serve societal functions such as swearing oaths and settling disputes when activated by a ritual specialist. Power figure nkisi nkondi, 19th century, with 20th century restoration. The centrality of spirit possession is a core component of both myal and kongo religion. The term and its concept have passed with the atlantic slave trade to the americas. The object the work refers to is a nkisi nkonde, a religious fetish mainly native to congo. Rare photos not appropriate for history books duration. Berzock, kb 2003, power figure nkisi nkondi, art institute of chicago museum studies, vol. Each nail or metal piece represents a vow, a signed treaty, and efforts to abolish evil. The more we look at the cognitive abilities of animals, the more advanced they appear, and the. Figures of spiritual importance and protection are very significant to the kongo people. Because they are aggressive, many nkondi with human figures are carved with their hands raised, sometimes bearing weapons. In the carnegie museum of art, pittsburgh, pennsylvania, usa.
Republic of the congo or cabinda, angola, chiloango river region. One of the most reputable collegelevel textbooks on african art is monica blackmun visonas the history of. Wood, metal, glass, fabric, fiber, cowrie shell, bone, leather, gourd, and feather credit line. Nkondi are a subclass of minkisi that are considered aggressive.
Clients engaged a ritual expert nganga to compose a nkisi, insuring its effectiveness. Nkisi nkondi in the history of medicine collections the devils tale. Writing clearly and perceptively, she explores the cultural meanings of art in different contexts, and highlights the continuities of tradition that stretch from modern often sensational works, back to the ancient halls of the parthenon, to the medieval cathedral of chartres, and to african nkisi nkondi fetish statues. Nkisi provoking a sickness in the chest, an nkisi detecting a thief, or finally, a large statue in wood. The primary function of a nkondi is to be the home of a spirit which can travel out from its base, hunt down and harm other people. Jan 07, 2015 nkondi african witchcraft dzikieswinie motorcycle club and adventures. Glacier bay, 1966 gavin murtha i spent a lot of time in there emily zhang story for the salt fiction joyce carol oates fleuve bleu linda woolford after lola keya mitra the sacred gifts of cows and cheetahs nonfiction amy wright. Nkondi plural varies according to dialect minkondi, zinkondi are a subclass of minkisi that are considered aggressive. A nkisi nkondi can act as an oath taking image which is used to resolve verbal disputes or lawsuits mambu as well as an. Power figure nkisi nkondi yale university art gallery. The nkisi mangaaka was made by which cultural group.
Minkisi singular nkisi, often referred to in english as power figures, were made by kongo people, such as the. But is it art an introduction to art theory 01 edition. Nkisi nkondi in the history of medicine collections april, 2016 kate collins as the josiah charles trent intern for the history of medicine collections, i have the opportunity to work with closely with a number of rare books, manuscripts and artifacts spanning hundreds of years and several continents. The figures were used as sacred medicines and divine protection to ward off danger and to protect the health, sacred medicines and divine protection. The earliest representation of an nkisi in this pose can be seen in the coat of arms of the kingdom of kongo, designed around 1512 and illustrated between 1528 and 1541, where a broken idol is shown with this gesture at the base of the shield. A nkisi nkondi is a specific type of power figure in which the spirit was activated by hammering a nail into the figure. At the request of a victim of theft, for instance, a nail would be driven into the wooden figure, and the nkisi nkondi would punish the thief. The best book for you will depend on your preferred learning style and the amount of time that you want to spend reading about aesthetics. While learning about the breadth and depth of the collections, one item in particular stood out to me. Smarthistorys free, awardwinning digital content unlocks the expertise of hundreds of leading scholars, making the history of art accessible and engaging to more people, in more places, than any other provider.
Among the vili and other kongolanguage speakers, nkondi means hunter in the kongo language and refers to the spirits power to track down the source of trouble. Once carved, it becomes the responsibility of a ritual specialist, called a nganga, to activate the figure. Nkondi plural varies minkondi, zinkondi are a subclass of minkisi that are considered aggressive. Power figure nkisi or nkonde museum of art and archaeology. Collection of stories belonging to a cultural group, usually relating to their origin, history, gods ancestors and heroes, often viewed as sacred. Aug 20, 2014 congolese fetish of nkisi nkondi, a female power figure, with nails. Professor donald broom, of the university of cambridges school of veterinary medicine, said. An nkisi nkondi serves as a container for potent ingredients used in magic and medicine, and in judicial and healing contexts. Nkisi, in westcentral african lore, any object or material substance invested with sacred energy and made available for spiritual protection.
Nkondi african witchcraft dzikieswinie motorcycle club and adventures. Kongo chiefs commissioned artworks like this one to fight back against 19th century colonialism. Nkisi nkondi in the history of medicine collections the. The name nkondi derives from the verb konda, meaning to hunt and thus nkondi means hunter because they can hunt down and attack wrongdoers, witches, or. Kongo nkisinkondi, democratic republic of the congo, nineteenth century. Male figure, ikenga igbo peoples elephant mask, kuosi society, bamileke peoples, cameroon. Male nkisi kongo peoples, 19thmid 20th century, kongo peoples, wood, pigment, nails, cloth, beads, shells, arrows, leather, nuts and twine, 58.
This rare and beautiful mid to late nineteenth century power figure nkisi nkondi. The figures cap and assertive pose, with hands on hips and chin thrusting forward, suggest those of a chief, and like a chief, the figure and its associated spirit. Minkisi the plural of nkisi, which literally means things which do things are 19th century wooden figurines, in the shape of humans, created more than a century ago in kongo presentday drc and angola. A power figure of central africa summary and objectives. These figures are, in effect, vessels for containing spiritual forces. Nkisi nkondi on the metropolitan museum of arts heilbrunn timeline of art history. Nkondi, an equally recurrent generic label in the literature, especially associated with nail figures e. To make an nkisi nkondi, a carver begins by sculpting a human or animal figure with a cavity in the abdomen.
They were used to identify and hunt down unknown wrongdoers such as thieves, and people who were believed to cause sickness or death by occult means. Look at the other works in this collection and consider other ways they have been or could be damaged. Minkisi singular nkisi, often referred to in english as power figures, were made by kongo people, such as the yombe, residing in the area now known as the democratic republic of congo. Nkisi nkondi the power figure is also known as the nail figure, fetish figure or nkisi nkondi. Kongo across the waters notably presents a rich selection of kongo minkisi singular nkisi. The nkisi nkondi is a particular category of nkisi, normally a wooden statue.
It was once theorized to be of akan origin, because of its popularity with akan slaves. That is a nkisi nkondi a power figure from the democratic republic of the congo one artist carves the piece and a diviner ritual expert would put a secret formula of ingredients into the cavities in the belly and the back of the figure. Mangaaka, originates from the kongo peoples democratic republic of the congo, and is called nkisi means medicine. The name nkondi refers to the figures ability to hunt down and punish wrongdoers. Dec 18, 2016 nkondi plural varies minkondi, zinkondi, or ninkondi are religious idols made by the kongo people of the congo region. Apr, 2016 nkisi nkondi in the history of medicine collections april, 2016 kate collins as the josiah charles trent intern for the history of medicine collections, i have the opportunity to work with closely with a number of rare books, manuscripts and artifacts spanning hundreds of years and several continents.
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