A so-called ‘Nkisi’ figure of the Songye in southeastern Congo. ‘Nkisi’ are protective figures which, in the Songye believe, protect against illness, witchcraft and misfortune in addition to playing an important role in the administration of justice (see also cat. no 113). A ‘Nkisi’ only realises its actual ‘magical power’ when charged by ‘Nganga’ (priests, healers, soothsayers etc) with ‘magic material’.
The present ‘Songye-Nkisi’ is carved from hard, heavy wood and coloured black-brown. It exhibits a nice dark shiny patina. On his head the ‘Nkisi’ carries ten forged iron slats inserted in a line across the apex.
There iron slats are part of the ‘magic material’ with which the ‘Nganga’ infuse ‘magical power’ into the figure. The eyes of the power figure consist of silvery light-coloured metal (possibly aluminium), with pupils made of brass-decorative nails. The triangular and rectangular decorations that the ‘Nkisi’ wears on his forehead and both temples respectively are made of brass sheet with chased dot-line motifs.
The typical Songye-face presents with a wide, flat nose, a ‘smiling’, open mouth with characteristic ‘tooth gaps’ as well as with an angular, plaited goatee. Worn around the neck is a necklace made of big white and blue glass pearls (torn). Both arm are bent in a typical pose, the hands resting on the abdomen. In the recess, in the middle of the rounded abdomen, there was originally also ‘magic material’. Presently, however, empty. Short, bent and apart, the legs step with big feet on a hemispheric plinth carved continuous with the rest. On his left arm and on the left leg, this ‘Nkisi’ wears old iron rings as jewelry.
Proportionately and stylistically, a finely crafted piece. With minor age-related abrasion on the edges, with a few holes (possibly from earlier insect damage) as well as with a beautiful black shiny patina - probably because of frequent rubbing with palm-oil (as an offering). Following Francois Neyt’s classification, this ‘Nkisis’ power figure of the Songye is be subsumed under the regional style of the Belande or Kalebwe. Height: 51 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
French Private Collection.

Lit.:
'Songye' by Francois Neyt, ill. 3, 9, 19, 26, 28, 30, 31, 33, 43, 49, 127 u. a.