Nkondi / nkisi figure
Production date
Early 20th Century
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Object detail
Description
Wooden human nkondi figure with a variety of nails piercing the body. Adorned with feathers and stained with earth. Nkondi figures were revered throughout Africa. They are carriers of a variety of magical objects called Nkisi, which can be bags, roots or leaves and are carried on the head or abdomen of the figure. In order to activate these sources the owner insults it, sings or creates an explosion in front of it, or may even hammer nails into its body.
Production date
Early 20th Century
Department
Social History
Object type
Collection
Media/materials
Materials/<materials by origin>/plant material/<wood and wood products>/wood
Materials/<materials by origin>/animal material/<keratinous material>/feather
Materials/<materials by composition>/<combination inorganic/organic material>/soil/<soil by form or function>/earth
Materials/<materials by composition>/inorganic material/<metal and metal products>/metal
Materials/<materials by origin>/animal material/<keratinous material>/feather
Materials/<materials by composition>/<combination inorganic/organic material>/soil/<soil by form or function>/earth
Materials/<materials by composition>/inorganic material/<metal and metal products>/metal
Accession no
2001.1
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