SKU: 83195195146

Yombe / Kongo Nkisi Power Figure, Congo #179

$450.23 $500.25
Save 10%
No.2 Bestseller on sm10m.ch >

Pay in installments of $125.06 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 24 - Aug 29

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Yombe / Kongo Nkisi Power Figure, Congo #179Yombe Kongo Nkisi Power Figure, Congo #179 Fine Nkisi Power Figure from the Yombe Kongo People of DR Congo. Condition: The Figure has a powerful appearance with a good aged patina with traces of tribal use. This figure exhibits a sensitive combination of expressionism and pathos. Kongo Power Figures, Nkisi, were used in cooperation with a Spiritual Healer, Nganga, to invoke positive and negative forces on behalf of a client seeking his services. The

  • Yombe / Kongo Nkisi Power Figure, Congo #179
  • Fine Nkisi Power Figure from the Yombe / Kongo People of DR Congo.
  • Condition: The Figure has a powerful appearance with a good aged patina with traces of tribal use.
  • This figure exhibits a sensitive combination of expressionism and pathos. Kongo Power Figures, Nkisi, were used in cooperation with a Spiritual Healer, Nganga, to invoke positive and negative forces on behalf of a client seeking his services. The Power invested in the Figure could either relieve the family of a burden or, in turn, place a burden on one's enemies. The stance, with hand on hip, together with the upturned head, is a typical gesture displaying confrontation and confidence. The Nganga would Magically Charge the Figure with various effective materials, creating a series of accumulations over time. The bundle at the abdomen, for instance, incorporated 'a Mirror of Mystic Vision, indicating the Ritual Expert's Power to see "beyond the glassy surface of the river, or the sea [beneath which the underworld lies" to penetrate the Secrets of the Dead' (Thompson in Vogel 1981: 210). 
  • The right hand of the Nkondi is especially stylized. The circle formed by the fingers represents the World; the upraised thumb indicates the Realm of
    Heaven. Like the thumbs-down gesture of ancient Rome, it was a sign of doom for the convicted felon or the guilty party to a trial, meaning "Sky and
    World are now against you." The world of the convicted felon would soon be pierced, even as the fingers often circled round a lance or dagger. Equally interesting are the pinpoint pupils. These form what might be termed an Ocular Gesture, meaning Nkondi views the solutions, and the punishments adhering to the Trials from Afar, from Beyond the Forest, from Beneath the River.
  • As Nkondi thinks from this distant source of Ancestral Justice, the pupils of his eyes are said to become small dots, as if carried to a kind of vanishing point, on the horizon between this world and the next.
  • The small statues, the Nkisi, were less ambitious than the large Nkonde and were designed for the Individual or the Family.
    Never more than 40 centimeters tall and without nails, they often had a feathered hat on their head after they had been consecrated by the Nganga. The fabrics wrapped round them were covered with a crusting of red powder. As with the Nkonde, they had a cavity in their back or stomach which held "medicines" and magic substances placed there by the Nganga. These consisted essentially of white clay from the marshes, red clay used for ancestor worship, and tukula (sawdust from red wood).
  • These Nkisi were supposed to protect their owner's health and transmit to him the vital strength with which they were endowed. The owner could give them offerings to escape from difficult situations. From "Black Africa" by Laurie Meyer.
    • Shipping Notes
    • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
    • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
    • Delivery to the USA:
    1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
    • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
    Exchange/Return Notes
    • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
    • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
    • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
    • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
    SKU: 83195195146

    Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

    Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

    4.8 ★★★★★
    Based on 27 reviews
    Sort
    Highest Rating
    Newest First
    Oldest First
    Product Reviews
    L
    Verified Purchase
    Lacey Edwards
    Bozeman, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    My kids love this book
    Format: Hardcover
    My son and daughter ( 4 and 2 ) LOVE this book. It makes them laugh out loud. It is cute and funny. The pictures are adorable. I have purchased it for several friends kiddos over the year.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2025
    A
    Verified Purchase
    Amazon Customer
    Carnegie, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Excellent children's book!
    Format: Hardcover
    Greg Pizzoli's wonderful book, The Watermelon Seed, is a delight for children and adults alike! The whimsical illustrations he creates, keep children glued to each page. It is fun and enjoyable to read over and over again with a child that just has to have it read every single night to them. The story is sweet, simple and meaningful. Whether you are looking for a book for your child, another child or the child in yourself-dive right in. This one is terrific!
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2018
    D
    Verified Purchase
    DTom
    Pawtucket, US
    ★★★★★ 4
    Cute but
    Format: Hardcover
    Caution that some children may be alarmed by the crocodile swallowing the watermelon seed. Know your audience. Otherwise a very cute, silly story that is great for a summer read or watermelon theme lesson.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023
    F
    Verified Purchase
    Flipflop
    Port Orchard, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    A Special Education Treasure
    Format: Board book
    I bought this book with one student in mind. A third grade autistic, non verbal, girl with a love for books, animals and reflective surfaces (windows, puddles, utensils and mirrors to name a few). The bright, cheerful illustration was the immediate interest upon her first look. The engaging fun story kept her attention. The last page captivated her. What a complete joy to watch! She will now say "Wiggle" when she wants this book - several times a day. She follows along with her finger while I read. I do not read the last page. She does that all ON HER OWN! Did I mention non verbal?! I'm purchasing another as a Christmas surprise for her to have at home. I highly recommend this book as a fixture in the classroom for Special Education and Early Learning.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
    A
    Verified Purchase
    Amazon Customer
    Waukegan, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    A staple for your Early Education libraries!
    Format: Board book, Format: Board book
    This book is adorable! One to use at every circle time in my classroom and my at-home children's library. I love the simplicity of the book and the beautiful art throughout. As a special education teacher and caretaker for more typical peers, you need to go in fast and animated to keep the attention of young learners...This book does all of those things and more. The ending with the mirror will teach early prediction skills and allow your child to see themselves as the wiggliest of all! (I chose this book for ages pre-birth through six years old).
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023

    recommand products

    Hridz 175cm Portable Aluminium Alloy Camera Tripod with 3-Way Swivel Pan Head & Carry Bag – Lightweight Travel Tripod for DSLR, Mirrorless & Video Camcorders
    60.00
    Hridz DMW-BCM13E Dual Battery Charger for Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ40 DMCTS5 DMCFT5 DMWBCM13E
    26.00
    Hridz NB-2L Dual Charger For Canon NB2LH EOS 350D 400D G7 G9 ZR100 ZR200
    27.00
    Hridz Dual Charger For GoPro Battery Hero 8 Hero 7 Hero 6 Hero 5 AHDBT-801
    24.00
    ZVX Dynamic HIFI Bass Earbuds In-Ear Monitor Headphones NO-MIC Earphones
    55.00