The Songye people called upon supernatural forces which they believed could be contacted and manipulated in their favor through power sculptures known as "Nkisi".
The Songye regarded the wood figure as merely a shell, activated to full power only by the addition of bishimba, the sacred medicine composed of animal, plant, and mineral substances chosen for their magical properties. The content of the bishimba was often prescribed by the ritual specialist according to the desired purpose.
This is a very find old example of a wooden Idol embellished with elaborate metal work design, , brass studs, hand forged iron rings, cowrie shell eyes, the abdomen pierced with iron blade, and adorned with several animal skins including Lizard, snake and the Pangolin or scaly anteater, which the hide covers the entire back and hangs down below the idol. The wood has weathering and obvious handling , some areas have developed a "chocolate" patina over many years of handling.
Songye peoples, DRC/ Congo, central Africa.
The figure measures 27 inches tall, 29.5 inches on professional custom display stand.
Provenance: Ex Robert banks collection, Virginia.