A Nkisi Nkonde or Nkondi nail fetish (plural: Minkondi or Minkisi) is a statue primarily carved of hardwood with nails and blades projecting from its body. Usually they have two large containers of magical material, one around the chin in the shape of a beard and one a cylinder in the middle of the abdomen. These characteristics mentioned with the two containers of magical material are generally common to fetishes from the lower Congo area, but the constant recurrence of other morphological peculiarities suggests that this group is a two person collaboration of artist and Nganga. The Fetishes are protective figures. They protect individuals, families and whole villages. They weaken or destroy evil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds, sanctify contracts or oath-taking, and decide arguments. The Nganga would activate the statue, using magical substances. The Fetishes gained power and were effective because people believed in them. [1]
A Nkisi generally contains relics from someone who has died, or clay from the cemetery. It also may contain medicines. Nkisi is a term that is currently untranslatable, based on the information currently available, but refers to carved figures used with dealing with issues as mentioned above. The Nkisi however is the best known example of Kongo art. When there are nails or blades protruding, it's then called Nkondi, which means "the hunter."
The Nkondi are the most powerful of the Nkisi. They were used to identify and hunt down unknown wrongdoers like thieves and people who were believed to cause sickness or death by mysterious ways. They were also used to punish people who swore false oaths and villages which broke treaties. To inspire the Nkondi to take action, it was both invoked and provoked. Invocations, in bloodthirsty language, encouraged it to punish the guilty party. It would also be provoked by having gunpowder exploded in front of it, and having nails hammered into it (hence the appearance). They were also used to literally "hammer out agreements"...with clear implications as to what would happen to people who broke the agreements. The Nkisi are used by their owner or the Nganga (sorcerer/spiritual specialist) to please the different spirits who are supposed to regulate the world. When a Nganga believes that a figure has lost its power, it is discarded and may be sold. [2] [3]
The europeans upon first encounter believed these figures were Voodoo dolls that were practiced on to cause ill will and misfortune to the being the carved statue represented. Though many still believe in that idea, it is nothing but suspicion and assumptions of the europeans that rediscovered them.
