Power figure
This figure resembles a power figure. Power figures (minkisi) were used to help bring order to society by an nganga, an operator of invisible forces. There are medicines (bilongo) held within the hat above the head (this is broken) and in the belly,
It’s possible that this was commissioned for sale as its appearance looks very fresh and it has been unusually enhanced with brass ear rings and the body is entirely painted in white - this colour has strong associations with the world of the ancestors (mpemba). Normally a power figure that’s made available for sale would be deconsecrated, another words, the medicines would be removed from the body. It’s very possible that the buyer wanted an ‘authentic’ power figure and one was carved for them.
It’s possible that this was commissioned for sale as its appearance looks very fresh and it has been unusually enhanced with brass ear rings and the body is entirely painted in white - this colour has strong associations with the world of the ancestors (mpemba). Normally a power figure that’s made available for sale would be deconsecrated, another words, the medicines would be removed from the body. It’s very possible that the buyer wanted an ‘authentic’ power figure and one was carved for them.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 79/1929/6
- Category
- Ethnography
- Collection Class
- Religion and magic
- Collection Area Region
- CENT
- Material
- woodboneglassmetalkaolin
- Common Name
- power figure
- Simple Name
- power figure
- Production County
- Lower Congo River
- Production Country
- Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Production Year High
- 1929
