Power objects and figures
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Nkisi (power figure) in human form. The bundles wrapped around it contain
medicinal
substances. Minkisi (plural) are objects which, through ritual action, become channels
for
activating spiritual forces. The head-dress worn by this nkisi marks its status, while its
glass eyes indicate that it can see into the spirit world.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/39
POWER FIGURE
Probably Bavili, Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
or
Angola, West Central Africa
This kneeling female figure is suckling a baby, a widespread motif in African art. On
her
shoulders stand three smaller figures, each attacking a snake. The figure's glass eyes
and
the mirror on her stomach indicate that she is a nkisi (power figure), able to see into
the
spirit world.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/53
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Finely carved nkisi (power figure) in the form of a kneeling woman. The glass-fronted
box on her stomach contains medicinal substances. Minkisi (plural) are objects which,
through ritual action, become channels for activating spiritual forces. Their powers
may
be directed towards divination, healing, successful trade or warfare, or attacking
enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/54
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Nkisi (power figure) in the form of a man. The glass-fronted box attached to its front
contains medicinal substances. Minkisi (plural) are objects which, through ritual
action,
become channels for activating spiritual forces. The small size of this nkisi suggests
that
it may have been used by an individual.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/60
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Standing male nkisi (power figure). The glass-fronted box on its stomach, and the
cloth
around its neck, contain medicinal substances. Through ritual action, minkisi (plural)
become channels for spiritual forces. The two nails may have been hammered into
this
figure to seal an oath or provoke it to attack enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/62
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Nkisi (power figure) in the form of a kneeling woman. The black patch on her front
may
seal a hole containing medicinal substances, or may indicate that a box containing
such
materials was formerly attached. Minkisi (plural) are objects which, through ritual
action,
become channels for activating spiritual forces.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/63
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Nkisi (power figure) in the form of a man. Minkisi (plural) are objects which, through
ritual action, become channels for activating spiritual forces. The rough patch on his
front
indicates that a box containing medicinal substances is missing. His glass eyes
suggest
that he can see into the spirit world.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/64
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Nkisi (power figure) in the form of a man. The glass-fronted box attached to its front
contains medicinal substances. Minkisi (plural) are objects which, through ritual
action,
become channels for activating spiritual forces. The feathers and rags on its headdress
would have fluttered when the figure was danced during ritual.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/98
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This standing male figure is probably a nkisi (power figure). Minkisi (plural) are
objects
which, through ritual action, become channels for activating spiritual forces. The
necklace of nuts would have been added during ritual to increase the nkisi's power.
The
small cap worn by the figure indicates his status.
Donated by Mr. Dunn in 1868
E 1395
POWER FIGURE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
The box attached to the front of this figure indicate that it is a nkisi (power figure).
The
circular, glass-fronted box contains medicinal substances. Minkisi (plural) are objects
which, through ritual action, become channels for activating spiritual forces. This
male
figure is painted white, suggesting that it represents ancestral spirits.
Donated by Miss G. Jackson in 1929
79/1929/6
POWER FIGURE - LEOPARD
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This nkisi (power figure) probably represents a leopard. The box on its back, cloth
around
its neck and cane in its mouth contain medicinal substances. Minkisi (plural) are
objects
through which spiritual forces are activated. The nails in its back may seal oaths or
provoke it to attack enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/57
POWER FIGURE - DOG
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This nkisi (power figure) probably represents a dog. Dogs are associated with hunting,
so
its role may have been to hunt out enemies. The glass-topped box on its back and cane
in
its mouth contain medicinal substances. Minkisi (plural) are objects through which
spiritual forces are activated.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/61
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This bundle of rags may have been associated with a nkisi (power figure). Rags such
as
these are sometimes worn by wooden power figures, their movement during ritual
indicating the presence of the spirit. Alternatively, it may have been worn as a fringe
around the loins of a ritual specialist.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/40
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This bundle of rags may have been associated with a nkisi (power figure). Rags such
as
these are sometimes worn by wooden power figures, their movement during ritual
indicating the presence of the spirit. Alternatively, it may have been worn as a fringe
around the loins of a ritual specialist.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/41
TWO POWER OBJECTS
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
These two minkisi (power objects) consist of bundles of plant material, wrapped in
leaves
using fibre string. Minkisi are objects which, through ritual action, become channels
for
activating spiritual forces. These powers may be directed towards divination, healing,
success in trade and warfare, or attacking enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/44 and 9/1889/45
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This nkisi (power object) consists of a large snail shell filled with medicinal materials
and
decorated with feathers. Minkisi are objects through which spiritual forces are
activated
during ritual, for divination, healing or attacking enemies. Such shells are also
attached to
larger nkisi, such as power figures and medicine bundles.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/66
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This nkisi (power object) consists of a large snail shell filled with medicinal material.
The
small round mirror plugging the hole may have been intended to reflect back evil or
blind
hostile spirits. Minkisi are objects through which spiritual forces are activated during
ritual, for divination, healing or attacking enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/67
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This minkisi (power object) consists of a ball of rolled up tobacco leaves. Minkisi
(plural)
are objects which, through ritual action, become channels for activating spiritual
forces.
These powers may be directed towards divination, healing, success in trade and
warfare,
or attacking enemies.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/73
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo,
Democratic Republic of the Congo or
Angola, West
Central Africa
This nkisi (power object) consists of a large snail shell filled with medicinal
substances,
sealed in with clay. Minkisi are objects through which spiritual forces are activated
during
ritual, for divination, healing or attacking enemies. This nkisi has additional medicinal
objects tied on with fibre string, including bones and shells.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/81 (Dennett with attachments)
MEDICINAL BARK SAMPLE
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
Poisonous bark was historically used in ordeals as part of witchcraft trials. The person
accused of witchcraft was fed poison - if they did not react, they were presumed to be
guilty and were put to death. The carved patterns on this piece of bark allude to its
significance.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/109
POWER OBJECT
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
This unusual nkisi (power object) consists of several bundles containing medicinal
substances, and a bell on a chain. Minkisi (plural) are objects which, through ritual
action,
become channels for activating spiritual forces. A ritual specialist may have used the
mirror to identify enemies and the nkisi to spiritually attack them.
Collected by E.R. Dennett between 1879 and 1889 and donated in 1889
9/1889/110
POWER OBJECTS
Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola, West
Central Africa
These objects were probably associated with one or more minkisi (power figures).
Minkisi are objects through which, during ritual, spiritual forces are provoked to
action.
Carved wooden power figures sometimes hold miniature bark and net bags like these.
The other objects are probably medicinal materials formerly kept inside the bags.
Collected before mid-1960s and donated by Shirley Blaylock in 2002
2/2002
MATERNITY FIGURE
Possibly Central Africa
This roughly carved wooden figure represents a kneeling woman, carrying a small
child
on her back and holding a large pot or basket on her head. The mother and child motif
is
widespread in African art, representing the spiritual power of female fertility and the
promise of future generations.
Donated by Winslow Jones in 1874
E 1409 on display
KING-LIKE FIGURE
Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
This wooden figure bears many similarities to the ndop figures which represented
individual Kuba kings. Such figures incubated the spirit of royalty during the king's
absence or death. This figure is smaller and less finely carved, suggesting that it was
perhaps made for the tourist market at a later date.
Donated by Val. G. De Carteret in 1923
35/1923
FIGURE
Kilo District, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa
This figure is carved from dark, hard wood. It represents a man, seated on a pedestal,
holding a cup or vessel in his hands. The unusual style of this figure suggests that it
may
have been carved for the tourist market.
Donated by John Buckler in 1949
89/1949/4
FIGURE
Gabon, West Central Africa
This carved hardwood figure represents a man drumming. He wears a belted cloth
with a
knife hanging at each side. His elaborate hairstyle is more typical of the Mangbetu
people
of Central Africa. The unusual style of this figure suggests that it may have been
carved
for the tourist market.
Donated by Dr. H.J. Cooper in 1959
26/1959/3
ANCESTRAL FIGURE
Possibly Kongo, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo or
Angola,
West Central Africa
This standing male figure is coloured white, its features highlighted with black and
red
pigments. All three colours have symbolic significance. White is the colour of death
and
ancestors, suggesting that this figure may have been used to fix and channel the forces
of
an ancestral spirit.
On loan from the Woodspring Museum, Weston-Super-Mare, since 1993
64/1974/39