Kongo
(Bakongo, Bashikongo, Kakongo), Kongo
(Bakongo, Bashikongo, Kakongo), Private
Nail Fetish. Nail fetishes are a unique
and important phenomenon of Kongo sculpture. All these fetishes are called 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 (illness, conflict,
sterility, sorcery, etc), the Kongo take recourse in this type of object. Inserting nails
or pieces of metal into the nkisi 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 (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.
