Songye Nkishi Power Fetish Figure Congo

The Songye Nkishi power fetish figure originates from the Lualaba River in the savanna territory. Figures like this are usually placed on family or village altars to commune with ancestors and nature spirits alongside prayers, other animal spirits, and offerings. Sculptures like the Nkishi are integral to the practices of Nganga, spiritual leaders with divinatory abilities who utilized rituals and sculptures to heal, for protection, and interact with the spiritual realm. Most Nkishi power figures contain magical materials on their pronounced bellies and serve as a conduit between the Nganga's ritualistic actions and the spiritual entities that accompany them. 

This large fetish figure features a variety of details and materials attributed to the Nkishi art form. The ornate metal embossing and rivets as well as the fiber wrapping and clothing make this a truly unique piece, and a beautiful testament to the power figures of the Songye group.

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