Nkisi Nkonde Figurine

The Nkisi Nkonde figurine located at the University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology is made by an unknown artist, but came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Made from a combination of wood, iron, glass and paint the figurine resembles the many other distinctive African sculptures from the 19th and early 20th century. Standing at 113 cm, the figurine has an earthy brown/yellow color. In pictures these types of statues come across small, resembling an almost table top size relic. The statue itself stands much taller in person. The body of the Power Figure is bumpy and slightly disproportionate due to the fact that it, along with many other Nkisi Nkonde, is carved from wood and adorned with additional metals, beads, shells

The figures were consecrated by trained priests using precise ritual formulas. After they were consecrated the African people believed the figures embodied spirits to heal, give life, inflict harm, disease, or even death. The shell was a precious object to the Africans and many Nkisi Nkondi figures featured a large cowrie shell located on the abdomen. This opening was a way to interact with the statue. During a prayer ritual or ceremony, a special herb or powder would be placed in the opening. The African people would then repeat specific chants while rubbing and or praying to the Power Figure. This specific figure no longer has the glass/shell opening in its abdomen due to deterioration throughout the years. The glass and paint over the statues eyes however are still intact. Another popular way to interact with the figurines forces was to plunge a nail or blade into the statue. The African people believed that with each nail or blade added to the figure the power would transfer to the user, ultimately connecting them to god and or the spiritual realm. This practice is heavily showcased in the figure located at the Museum of Art and Archeology. The African communities liked this practice because with each blade or nail added to the statue the figure would change, never being same. This made each person’s interaction with the Nkisi Nkondi different and almost personal. The overall roles