Wooden fetish statue Songye Democratic Republic of Congo

Superb songye fetish, from the former belgian congo. The room has a beautiful posture. Glossy patina, predominantly brown, with nuances, attesting to a certain antiquity. Some age slots. These spectacular fetishes are among the most prized in africa, and are used by the songyé. The nkishi is a mediator between the divine and men. The nganga (sorcerer) is called upon in case of sterility, illness, or threat. He then makes a bwanga (pl. Manga) that will achieve the desired goal, whether it is to procreate, heal, protect oneself from misfortunes, lightning, or have a game hunt. A bwanga is an object or assembly of particular objects to which the sorcerer incorporates bishimba or amalgams of secret ingredients. Nkishi is a particular form of bwanga that takes on an antropomorphic form. Bishimba are incorporated into cavities of the navel and head. There are two main types of mankishi: one is intended to protect the entire village and ensure the fertility of women, the second is made for personal use or related to a family. The first is usually of a size ranging from 60 to 100 cm and more, the second of more modest size. In addition to the implant of the bishimba, the sorcerer will add other materials, skins, furs, fabrics, nails and brass plates, horn, shells... Once made and activated by the nganga, personal mankishi (also called kankishi, were placed on domestic altars. The communal mankishi were kept in a particular shrine, usually located in the center of the village, then entrusted to a guard supposed to possess communication powers and translate the word of the nkishi under a mediuminic influence. According to f. Neyt, the sensible and the force.

Ref. : VSQFC11Q