Teke Standing Figure Congo

Non-fetish figures, called "nkiba," are rare among the Teke, who use their famous magical figures, or fetishes, for a wide variety of purposes, from hunting talismans to fertility fetishes. The use of figures without magical additives is poorly understood. Teke diviners and chiefs will sometimes remove fetish materials, called "Bonga," from a figure, either to release it for sale or to re-use materials that were proven to be effective. It is possible that our figure was a fetish originally, and then deactivated, although the even surface patina gives us little evidence of this. The carving of the head is particularly fine and powerful, and the old repairs indicate a piece of some importance to the owner. The economy of the Teke is based primarily on maize, millet, and tobacco, but the Teke are also hunters, skilled fishermen, and traders. They believe in a supreme being, the creator of the universe," Nzambi," who is consulted using statues and fetishes as intermediaries.

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