Zoomorphic Minkisi Figures, Boma, Kongo. (Photo: randafricanart)
This Zoomorphic Minkisi is a ceramic vessel, or container, that is spiritually charged with substances. Minkisi’s once came in the form of a grave, which are powered by the dead and infuse the object allowing nganga to control. Nganga are people with powers to communicate with the dead. These minkisi's are now considered portable graves that contain this empowerment through nganga. These vessels are made from bilongo, which includes three types of ingredients. These ingredients are: clays from the land of the deceased, items chosen for their names, and metaphorical materials. The metaphorical materials covering these vessels include heads of poisonous snakes, claws of birds, and nets; all of these items suggest the power to attack or capture. Without this accumulation of materials, the vessel is believed to be useless.
The form of the Minkisi is very important and has specific meanings. The zoomorphic minkisi resembles the form of a two-headed dog, also known as Kozo. Kozo assisted in to tracking down witches, a power for which these minkisi’s were often used [1].
The power these Minkisi hold are activated by the driving of nails, blades, or other pieces of iron into them. Each item driven in accumulates the power needed. The material added continues to add to the reference of being a “dog” that can track down and catch witches [1].
[1] Monica Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert Cole, A History of Art in Africa, (New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008), 360-361.
This Zoomorphic Minkisi is a ceramic vessel, or container, that is spiritually charged with substances. Minkisi’s once came in the form of a grave, which are powered by the dead and infuse the object allowing nganga to control. Nganga are people with powers to communicate with the dead. These minkisi's are now considered portable graves that contain this empowerment through nganga. These vessels are made from bilongo, which includes three types of ingredients. These ingredients are: clays from the land of the deceased, items chosen for their names, and metaphorical materials. The metaphorical materials covering these vessels include heads of poisonous snakes, claws of birds, and nets; all of these items suggest the power to attack or capture. Without this accumulation of materials, the vessel is believed to be useless.
The form of the Minkisi is very important and has specific meanings. The zoomorphic minkisi resembles the form of a two-headed dog, also known as Kozo. Kozo assisted in to tracking down witches, a power for which these minkisi’s were often used [1].
The power these Minkisi hold are activated by the driving of nails, blades, or other pieces of iron into them. Each item driven in accumulates the power needed. The material added continues to add to the reference of being a “dog” that can track down and catch witches [1].
[1] Monica Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert Cole, A History of Art in Africa, (New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008), 360-361.