Songye Nkishi Dancer with Kifwebe Owl Mask Congo

This exquisitely carved Songye standing figure depicts a dancer wearing a Kifwebe mask, with hands resting on a prominent belly, showcasing the distinctive cubist features characteristic of Songye art. The figure, carved from a single block of dense wood, also features a leather apron and a classic horn headdress, both of which enhance the ceremonial and symbolic qualities of the piece. The Kifwebe mask itself embodies the key traits of Songye artistry, including a jutting chin, a geometric nose, and sculpturally exaggerated eyes, all of which are hallmarks of the region’s unique aesthetic language.

The Songye Nkishi power fetish figure hails from the Lualaba River region in the savanna territories, and plays a central role in the spiritual practices of the Songye people. These figures are often placed on family or village altars as conduits for communication with ancestors, nature spirits, and other supernatural forces. Typically accompanied by prayers and offerings, Nkishi figures facilitate interactions with the spiritual realm, serving as a focal point in rituals led by the Nganga, spiritual leaders with divinatory and healing abilities. The pronounced belly of the figure often contains magical materials, further emphasizing its role as a vessel for spiritual power.

For the Songye and other Bantu-speaking communities, figures like this Nkishi act as a physical manifestation of the connection between the ritual practices of the Nganga and the spiritual entities they seek to engage. The weathered surface of the figure, marked by years of use and the accumulation of ritual elements, speaks to the enduring power and significance of the figure within the spiritual and cultural life of the community. It is through such figures that the Songye are able to bridge the earthly and spiritual worlds, reinforcing their deep-rooted belief in the interconnectedness of all realms.

Depth (in) 6.0
Width (in) 7.0
Height (in) 26.0

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