Bakongo Villi Kneeling Miniature Figure 6.5 inch Congo JK Brown Collection

The Kongo people, a Bantu ethnic group residing in the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, and the Republic of Congo, possess a rich artistic tradition, notably seen in their figurative sculptures known as Kongo figures. These sculptures serve various functions and hold distinct meanings:

Power Figures (Nkisi or Nkondi): These figures are imbued with spiritual powers, and utilized for healing, protection, and justice. They feature a cavity for holding sacred substances, activated through rituals and prayers. 

Ancestral Figures: Representing ancestors, these sculptures establish a connection between the living and the deceased. Placed on ancestral altars, they receive offerings and prayers for ancestral guidance and protection.

Shrine Objects: Kongo figures serve as shrine objects in spiritual practices, occupying sacred spaces or shrines dedicated to specific spirits or deities. They act as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms during rituals and prayers.

Bakongo Villi Miniature Figures: Associated with the Bakongo Villi subgroup, these small sculptures depict specific individuals or groups, showcasing aspects of daily life, community roles, or ancestral lineage. They find use in personal devotion, ancestral veneration, or as symbolic representations of cultural identity.

It is crucial to recognize that the interpretation and significance of Kongo figures may vary among different communities and individuals, influenced by cultural, religious, and personal beliefs within Kongo society.