With one upraised hand that originally held a spear or club, this African power figure dates to mid-19th-20th century, and is comprised of pigmented carved wood, cloth, woven sisal, nails and other sharp objects. In the center of the belly is a skull impression comprised of various natural materials. Nail fetishes are a unique and important phenomenon of Kongo sculpture. The Bakongo people call all fetishes nkisi. Nkisi means “medicine”. Historically, there were two types of nkisi, public and private, with some having vital democratizing roles, as sources of empowerment for rural residents and individuals outside the court. In order to face certain trials such as illness, conflict, sterility, or sorcery, the Kongo take recourse in this type of object. Inserting nails or pieces of metal into the nkisi to tie down an agreement or lawsuit is called bibaaku. It activates the figure to bring destruction to those who do not fulfill their end of the pact, oath, or treaty. Thus they attempt to resolve their problem, or to intimidate or punish the individual responsible for it. An nkisi is made by a sculptor who works together with a nganga or ritual expert. The sculptor carves a male figure. Next, the nganga completes the figure by placing the ingredients that have positive or negative power in an abdominal cavity made by the sculptor. These ingredients are carriers for a variety of magical objects, which can be sand, roots or leaves, or other objects. Keeping track of the precise history of each insertion was the duty of the nganga. As one source notes, the nkisi was a hiding place for people’s souls.Size: 15 x 10 x 20 in.