Kongo Culture

role of the diviner
- links the supernatural and human worlds
- uses nkisi (container, pl. minkisi) to harness spirit forces
  - for good luck and protection
a “nganga” (pl. “banganga”) can communicate with the dead
- power comes from connection with the dead
- they can see hidden things
- defend the living by appeasing the “bakisi” (emissary dead spirits)

Nkisi power containers

“nkisi” (pl. minkisi) means container
- objects that harness spirit forces or powers
used as remedies against witchcraft by a “nganga”
give offerings of a “nkisi” (container, pl. minkisi)
- used as remedies for diseases
- containers like shells, gourds, and graves held spiritual power
- “nkisi” is a like portable grave, connected to the dead
contained a power called “nkisi”

specialized type of nkisi
objects owned by the priest
judiciary function to punish wrongdoers
commissioned by chief during adversity
activated with “bilongo” (medicinal ingredients) by the diviner
“nkonde” comes from word “to hunt”
- specialized nkisi meant to seek out justice
role as a hunter
- hunting for solutions to problems
- searching for wrongdoers
- protecting a village

impartial judiciary force
- used where colonial officials had removed native judicial authorities
- served to mediate conflicts
- warring communities would promise upon the object to not break treaty
symbolic embedding of objects into surface
- diviner used “bilongo” (medicinal ingredients)
  - to imbue power into the nkisi n’konde
- embedding nails activates power
  - opposing parties would lick nails before insertion to seal intent
  - oath is made upon the nkisi spirit
  - deep nail insertion means serious offense
- embedding “baaku” knives extracts power
  - destroys those who use evil power
- embedded peg can mean settled matter

human or animal form
“baaku” knives embedded into form
- flat knives used for extracting tree sap
- symbolic of extracting pain
posing in “pakalala” (alert wrestling position)
- symbolizes the “nkonde” hunting aspect
- some include knife or spear in right hand, attacking position
bulging abdomen cavity
- contained “bilongo” (medicinal ingredients)
  - inserted into head or hole in abdomen
- imbued specific “bilongo” materials
embedded nails
- activation of the nkisi spirit

selected for magical properties by the diviner
clays from the land of the dead
- white kaolin clay
  - linked to world of dead
- red ochre
  - blood and danger
ingredients chosen for names
- names that were similar puns
metaphorical materials
- e.g. a net means capture
- bird claws
- mirrors for clairvoyance
serve to activate function of nkisi
- stones could tell spirit to pelt thy enemy
- seeds to tell th spirit to replicate
mirrors to help tell nganga where evil hides