A female Songye sculpture

A female Songye sculpture, Zaire, standing on a semispherical base,
the hands close to the pointed abdomen, the mouth with metal teeth, on top a part of an antelope horn, brown to reddish patina on heavy, hardwood.

Nkisi Nkondi sculptures are powerful ritual objects from Central Africa, primarily associated with the Kongo people (located in present-day Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo). These sculptures are deeply rooted in spiritual, religious, and social practices. Their main functions include:

1. 
   Spiritual Protection and Healing:
   Nkisi Nkondi sculptures are believed to serve as powerful spiritual protectors. They are often linked to the world of spirits and ancestors, acting as intermediaries between the living and the spirit world. The sculptures are used in rituals to call upon spirits for protection, healing, or intervention. They are thought to embody the force of the spirit they represent and are frequently used in healing ceremonies, where the "nkondi" (the spirit residing within the sculpture) can bring about physical or emotional cures.
2. Justice and Conflict Resolution:
   Nkisi Nkondi sculptures are also used in legal or judicial contexts. When disputes arose in the community, individuals would often swear oaths before the sculpture, invoking its power to ensure truth and justice. The belief was that if someone broke their oath or lied, the spirit of the sculpture would exact punishment—sometimes in the form of illness or misfortune. The sculptures could also be "activated" by ritual specialists to punish wrongdoers.
3. Binding and Cursing:
   The Nkisi Nkondi is also known for its association with "binding" or "cursing" rituals. These rituals were typically used to force an individual to comply with a legal agreement or to seek revenge on an adversary. The figures would be "activated" with nails, blades, or other sharp objects driven into their surfaces, symbolizing a curse or binding force directed at the intended victim. The belief was that the spirit of the Nkondi would bring harm to those who violated laws or promises, or who acted against the community’s norms.
4. Spiritual Communication:
   The Nkisi Nkondi sculpture serves as a channel for communicating with spirits and ancestors. Ritual specialists or priests would perform ceremonies that involved invoking the power of the Nkondi to establish contact with these spiritual entities, seeking guidance, wisdom, or protection. The rituals could also involve the use of the sculpture to "settle" spirits or negotiate their involvement in various matters affecting the community.
5. Symbol of Authority:
   Nkisi Nkondi sculptures were sometimes used as symbols of authority or power within the community. Leaders or spiritual healers might possess one as a way of demonstrating their connection to spiritual forces and their ability to mediate between the human and spirit worlds. The presence of the sculpture, with its powerful spiritual charge, gave these figures an aura of legitimacy and influence.
6. Physical Attributes and Materials:
   The "power" of the Nkisi Nkondi is often enhanced through the incorporation of various materials, such as nails, blades, mirrors, beads, and other symbolic items. The act of hammering nails into the figure was thought to activate its power, and each nail, scar, or insertion marked a specific ritual act, event, or prayer. These sculptures can vary in size, but they often feature a figure standing upright, sometimes with a fierce or aggressive posture, emphasizing their role as protectors or enforcer.

Height: 64 cm
Weight: 3 kg