Advertisement · 728 × 90
#
Hashtag
#yombe
Advertisement · 728 × 90
Patrick Kapty
Patrick Kapty
@patrickkapty.bsky.social
1 month ago
Post image

Bakongo Power Figure
Yombe | Vili peoples
wood, metal, glass
late 19th century

#handmade #art #tribalart #sculpture #bakongo #powerfigure #magic #ritual #protection #divination #fertility #late19thcentury #yombe #vili #africanart #africantribalart #africansculpture #religion

11 2 0 0
AgendaConcerts.cat
AgendaConcerts.cat
@agendaconcertscat.bsky.social
1 year ago

21/3/2025 Fred Lusi Kabeya - Institut Française de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
#Singer-songwriter #Yaka #Yombe #Congoleserumba
#concerts #livemusic #agendaconcertscat

agendaconcerts.cat/en/concert/2...

0 0 0 0
Patrick Kapty
Patrick Kapty
@patrickkapty.bsky.social
1 year ago
Sacred medicines and divine protection are central to the belief of the Kongo peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo). The Kongo believe that the great god, Ne Kongo, brought the first sacred medicine (or nkisi) down from heaven in an earthenware vessel set upon three stones or termite mounds. A nkisi (plural: minkisi) is loosely translated as a “spirit,” yet it is represented as a container of sacred substances which are activated by supernatural forces that can be summoned into the physical world. Visually, these minkisi can be as simple as pottery or vessels containing medicinal herbs and other elements determined to be beneficial in curing physical illness or alleviating social ills. In other instances, minkisi can be represented as small bundles, shells, and carved wooden figures. Minkisi represent the ability to both ‘contain’ and ‘release’ spiritual forces, which can have both positive and negative consequences on the community. A fascinating example of a nkisi can be found in a power figure called nkisi nkondi. A nkisi nkondi can act as an oath taking image which is used to resolve verbal disputes or lawsuits (mambu) as well as an avenger (the term nkondi means ‘hunter’) or guardian if sorcery or any form of evil has been committed. These minkisi are wooden figures representing a human or animal, such as a dog (nkisi kozo) carved under the divine authority and in consultation with an nganga or spiritual specialist who activates these figures through chants, prayers, and the preparation of sacred substances which are aimed at ‘curing’ physical, social or spiritual ailments.

Sacred medicines and divine protection are central to the belief of the Kongo peoples (Democratic Republic of Congo). The Kongo believe that the great god, Ne Kongo, brought the first sacred medicine (or nkisi) down from heaven in an earthenware vessel set upon three stones or termite mounds. A nkisi (plural: minkisi) is loosely translated as a “spirit,” yet it is represented as a container of sacred substances which are activated by supernatural forces that can be summoned into the physical world. Visually, these minkisi can be as simple as pottery or vessels containing medicinal herbs and other elements determined to be beneficial in curing physical illness or alleviating social ills. In other instances, minkisi can be represented as small bundles, shells, and carved wooden figures. Minkisi represent the ability to both ‘contain’ and ‘release’ spiritual forces, which can have both positive and negative consequences on the community. A fascinating example of a nkisi can be found in a power figure called nkisi nkondi. A nkisi nkondi can act as an oath taking image which is used to resolve verbal disputes or lawsuits (mambu) as well as an avenger (the term nkondi means ‘hunter’) or guardian if sorcery or any form of evil has been committed. These minkisi are wooden figures representing a human or animal, such as a dog (nkisi kozo) carved under the divine authority and in consultation with an nganga or spiritual specialist who activates these figures through chants, prayers, and the preparation of sacred substances which are aimed at ‘curing’ physical, social or spiritual ailments.

Yombe Nkisi figure
carved ritualistic figure
D.R. of the Congo
Wood, metal, glass
Height: 31,5 cm

#yombe #nkisi #nkisinkondi #congo #kongo #ritualfigure #magic #sorcery #protection #oath #cure #divineprotection #africanart #tribalart #africansculpture #art #sculpture

8 0 0 0