Please see SONGYE
POWER FIGURES 2 page as well.
Click on a name to see a larger image and other views.
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The figures below have all been sold. They are left here for education and reference purposes.
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Photographs © Tim Hamill
SONGYE, POWER FIGURES, Dem. Rep. Congo
The Songye made power figures, Nkisi (singular) and Mankishi (plural), to combat witchcraft and sorcery. They were benign and were believed to bring good, promote fertility and success, vanquish enemies and protect from evil. Large ones were owned by and served the community; small ones were for individual families.
Adorned with additional objects, Bajimba, with magical properties (horns, skins, teeth, hair, feathers, beads, tacks, cloth, etc.), they gained their power not from the carver but from the Nganga, or spiritual leader. Their carving was considered secondary to their power. Often too powerful to touch, they were moved with long sticks. Although protective, these are confrontational objects, with a warrior's attitude.
Many of the features show a relationship to the masks of the Kifwebe
association.
Despite their appearance, these figures show little evidence of age or use
and were probably made to be sold.Despite their appearance, these figures
show little evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.
GO TO SONGYE FETISH FIGURES PAGE 2
GO TO SONGYE SCULPTURE EXHIBITION PAGE
GO TO FETISHES (VARIOUS TRIBES) PAGE
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