This figure is called Mangaaka. He is an nkisi
of the nkondi type and would have contained spiritual
forces collected from the grave of a dead person who was feared and respected in his lifetime. Mangaaka was made before
1900 by a Kongo carver in central
Africa. Kongo baganga used minkisi (plural of nkisi) like
this one to protect people against witchcraft, disease and lawbreakers, and to help keep the peace.
Not all minkisi are human in shape - some look like animals, and others are even clay pots or shells. Kongo baganga no longer
use large nkisi figures like Mangaaka today.
Find out more about Mangaaka.
If you would like to explore other objects from the Africa collection click on the information kiosk opposite.
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