P O W E R - F I G U R E

Power Figure (Nkisi N’Kondi: Mangaaka), mid to late nineteenth century, wood, paint, metal, resin, ceramic, 46 7/16″ / 118 cm high, Democratic Republic of Congo (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Image Source.

The Kongo Peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo) have many beliefs when it comes to sacred medicines and protection. Some of these traditions of the Kongo people are still used in today's society. The Kongo believe that the first sacred nkisi was brought to them by a god they refer to as Ne Kongo. Nkisi,is similar to the concept of a "spirit" and is usually represented through a type of container such as pottery or vessels. Inside the pottery or vessels are sacred substances such as medicinal herbs which are thought to help cure physical or social illnesses. There are other forms of minkisi (plural for Nkisi), such as bundles, shells and wooden figures. Although some of these objects were referred to as evidence of sorcery and "fetish" objects by the Europeans in the 15th century, power figures were important objects used to keep oaths and to uphold contracts made between the Kongo people.

An example of a nkisi is in power figures, such as nkisi nkondi. Power figures of Central Africa were created by Kongo sculptors and ritual spiritualists. A power figure is a charm that is carved to resemble a human being, The purpose of a power figure is to hold and let go spiritual forces that can have a negative or positive impact upon the Kongo people who are near that power figure. Power figures such as nkisi nkondi can be used to handle disputes, to seek revenge, and to deal with evil spirits. This specific mkisi nkondi above is a Mangaaka power figure, which might have been used to deal with disputes or lawsuits. The role of materials and rituals correlates to how a power figure serve its' function. Although it might seem strange to place pegs, nails, and glass on certain parts of  the power figure, each placement and material used symbolically represent something more meaningful. The spiritualist, or nganga, will place these insertions into the power figure. The severity of the lawsuit or dispute, will determine the materials being used. Deeply inserted nails are used to represent issues that are much more serious. Before the nails are inserted, the parties of the lawsuit, or dispute lick the nails. Their saliva is what solidifies the function of the power figure, which can be considered  a type of contract or oath. Thus, this would mean that this particular power figure must have been used for a lawsuit or dispute that dealt with a very serious issue or evil. If the oath was broken between either party, the power figure would be activated by chants or prayers, which would then either carry out its task in protection or destruction. 

To the Kongo. the form and power of the figure was important to depict. For example, this particular power figure is meant to represent an individual who is of great importance and hold greats power. The headdress that is carved on the power figure was often worn by priests or chiefs, which suggest that the power figure represents either of the two. The leaning posture of the figure and the placement of the hands on the hips is suppose to represent the aggressive attitude of the person. The nails are also placed along the jawline, which is meant to represent a beard, a symbol for seniority. This power figure represented an individual who possessed a lot of power and who was a witness and enforcer of the contract made when creating this power figure. Thus, the form of the power figure, the materials used, and the person being represented are all significant components when it comes to depicting power. However, because these objects were confiscated by the European missionaries in the 15th century, their value and power have been depleted and referred to as being a form of heathenism. Nonetheless, these traditions have survived and made its way through the Americas and the Caribbean. Despite the stigma and superstition behind power figures that was encouraged by racist outsiders, power figures have served the Kongo people as a functioning charm, or even contract.

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/.

"Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka) | Kongo Peoples, Yombe Group." The Metropolitan Museum of Art., accessed Feb 28, 2021, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/320053.