Bakongo "nkisi Nkondi" Fetish Statue, Adorned With Nails

Bakongo “Nkisi nkondi” fetish statue, adorned with nails
Hand-carved hardwood statue showing traces of kaolin clay, polychrome paint, and bilongo
Rusty nails of all shapes and sizes cover the entire body
This type of statue is called a “Nkisi nkondi” or “power figure ”
It is a spiritual vessel used to enforce oaths, seal legal alliances, cure illnesses, or ward off malevolent forces
The open mouth symbolizes the denunciation of evil, while a central cavity, located near the navel, contains bilongo, magical, or medicinal substances.
A ritual specialist would drive a rusty nail, a blade, or a peg into the wooden body each time a dispute was settled, a contract was signed, or a curse was cast. Driving the metal into the figurine serves to “awaken” the spirit residing within it so that it may bear witness to the agreement or take action against a transgressor. The impressive density of iron shards covering the torso attests to its frequent use and great value within the community.
20 cm wide, 18 cm deep, and 36 cm tall.
Signs of wear, typical of sacrificial statues.
20th-century tribal art from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.