Module 6 post

 

Kongo Peoples, Power Figure (Nkisi N’Kondi)
c. 1850-1900, wood, paint, metal, resin, ceramic



The figure above is also know under the name of Nkisi.  The name Nkisi refers to a spirit, but specifically medicine that a healer.  Nganga is a ritual spiritualist that used Nkisi figures to help clients.  At the center of this figure is what they call the mooyo or belly.  The spiritual center of the nkisi figure where medicines are places.  The Nganga used these figures in many ways, one being to heal and another is to record agreements and contracts.  The figure is used to foresee and uphold agreements.  For example each one of the knots around a Nkisi figure resembles those oaths made around the figure.  The Nganga people would hammer nails or sharp objects into the figure to get the attention of the spirit, which over time would explain the amount of nails inside the figure.  The material driven into the figure represents different severities of issues.  A peg may refer to a matter being settles, but a nail that has been deeply inserted may represent a more serious offense.  The Kongo people believe that the great god Ne Kongo brought the first sacred medicine or nkisi down from heaven in an earthenware vessel set upon three Stones.  Just based on the amount of nails shown in this nkisi is it clear to see that this was a somewhat common object to be used as a matter of protection or even seen as a political standing figure.  The power in driving a nil into a figure leaves the people in wonder of who or what went on.   It allows information for the Nganga people to flow and to be known.  I believe there is more meaning behind this figure that we do not know.  I am curious, was this figure found in every house? 


Dr. Shawnya L. Harris and Dr. Peri Klemm, "Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi), Kongo peoples," in Smarthistory, August 9, 2015, accessed February 28, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/nkisi-nkondi-kongo-people/.

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 8, 2021 at 12:22 PM

    You really packed a lot of information to your post and I feel really educated your audience on the topic. I liked how all your sentences flowed together and with it being a lot of information you did a great job of not being overwhelming. Job well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ashley MMarch 9, 2021 at 8:27 PM

    This is such a bizarre figure, and every person that wrote on it added a unique perspective. I was curious about the knots that you mentioned. If they are visible in the image, then where are they located? I must have missed that part in my research, and I'm just curious. I like how detailed you were about the objects that were used to call up the spirits and why they were chosen. You did a good job of explaining the object and its purpose. If I had to offer a critique it would be just to proof read a little better next time. I write my paper in google docs so I can do a spell/grammar check then, I copy, paste, and undo-formatting on the blog. That might help you when you're tired.

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