This Nail Figure served as doctor, judge and priest. It was carved to capture the power of spirits (minkisi, singular nkisi), which was necessary for healing and judging disputes. The figure was filled with powerful magical substances (bilongo) by priests (naganga) who tended it in a shrine and made its spirit powers available to individuals. The large cowrie shell held strong medicines that gave the sculpture its power. This nkisi n'konde would have originally worn a large beard and a straw skirt. When an agreement was reached, both sides would swear an oath before the nkisi n'konde and drive iron blades or nails into it to seal the oath. In this way the figure’s supernatural powers could be called upon to punish those who broke their oaths.
Object Date
1875/1900
Dimensions
Sight: 46 x 18 1/2 x 14 1/4 in. (116.8 x 47 x 36.2 cm.)
Medium
Wood with screws, nails, blades, cowrie shell and other materials
