Figure, Fetish : 2014.1.56

Title:

Oathtaker (Nkissi Nkondi)

Object Name:

Figure, Fetish

Other Name:

Figure, Fetish, Nail

Place of Origin:

Kongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

Provenance:

Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 9"
W = 6"
D = 5"

The Kongo peoples use Nkissi Nkondi figures to bind oaths, seal contracts, or finalize treaties. To complete an agreement, packets containing bilongo power substances, such as earth from a tomb, river mud, and powered camwood, are attached to the figure with twine. Nails and pieces of metal are driven into the figure to activate its spirit. If the oath is broken, it is belived that the spirit embodied in the ferocious looking figure will punish the transgressor with a spear, originally held in the hole in the figure's right hand.

In order to stimulate and obtain a spirit's protection, Kongo people hammer nails into its wooden representation, shout at it, and sometimes insult it.

Bacquart, P. 128 — 131.

Description:

Standing wooden figure with large bald head, glass eyes, broad short nose. Large mouth with open lips, crescent—shaped ears and short cylindrical neck. Round pads of medicine adhered to wooden body by rusty nails, other rusty nails stuck into body around neck, chest and legs. Upraised right hand beside head, with open fist, with missing spear. Left hand carved along side of body, rectangular medicine pouch with glass front on stomach, surrounded by brown cloth balls of medicine. Short legs, square wooden base, dark brown patina and libation over entire area.

Collection:

Finley Collection

Material:

Wood W/Metal, Cloth, Glass and Fetish Material

Used:

Ritually Used

Technique:

Carving / Painting / Weaving

Owned:

Art Department, Missouri Southern State University

Accession#:

2014.1.56