Congo Fetish Statue – Labuzo

Description

Divine protection and sacred medicines are central to the belief of the BaKongo peoples. The BaKongo 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 is loosely translated 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. These include carved wooden figures as well as pottery or vessels containing medicinal herbs and other elements. A nkisi represents having the ability to both ‘contain’ and ‘release’ spiritual forces which can have both positive and negative consequences on the community.