A Nkisi Nkondi power figure is a magical charm in the shape of a person or animal created and used in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nkisi is loosely translated as 'spirit' but is represented by a container that, through substances in the vessel, can summon and bring supernatural forces into the physical realm. The plural form is minkisi. The Nkisi Nkondi can act as oath holders or to resolve verbal disputes called mambu. They are carved and activated by a nganga, a spiritual specialist, and are activated using prayers, chants, etc. They are recognized by being in either the shape of a human or animal, with lots of insertions of nails, pegs, sharp metal pieces, or other sharp objects. Bilongo, medicinal combinations, are sometimes kept in the head but mostly in the stomach of the figure where they are protected by either a piece of glass or mirror. The glass or mirror is considered a portal to the otherworld and spirits can look out through their world to ours. Seeds and white soil deposits found near cemeteries summon the spirits to enlist their help. The insertions are put in by the nganga, and the different materials used represent the severity of the offense. If an oath is broken or something happens to one of the participants, then the nkisi nkondi is activated to either offer divine protection or to carry out some sort of destruction. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-africa/central-africa/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/a/nkisi-nkondi Pictures above are from a case containing Nkisi Nkondi power figures in the Baltimore Museum of Art.I was invited by my former professor, artist and mentor Laura Mongiovi to be a part of The Nkisi Project curated by Sarah Rockett , Tammi Brazee, and Peter Yumi. Myself and 66 other artists created our own version of a Nkisi Nkondi power figure representative of our community. It could be no larger than 1 square foot. We were also asked to include a one sentence statement of what we would like manifested with our object. Pictured below is my contribution. The pink fabric is some of the avocado dyed fabric I included in an earlier post. My one sentence statement was:Through the insertion of pins into the pillow, the ability for a person to explore, travel, and connect with others is enacted.
I am so thankful that Laura, who was both a participant this year and in earlier installations, thought to invite me. And that Sarah accepted! The show is currently on view at 965 Gallery at the Center for Visual Arts in Denver, CO.
