Click Here for New Arrivals! The country of Gabon is home to a multitude of peoples including the Teke, Fang, Punu and Baka tribes. Most of these natives adhere to age-old tradition for problem solving. They place their trust in the powers of the fetish to aid them during times of need. A fetish (Nkisi) is a smallish wood carved figure that through the magical workings of the village Nganga (fetishtist) is empowered with the ability to grant desires. The Nganga creates and activates this power by placing medicines such as animal or human parts, clay, plants and other indigenous items around or inside the Nkisi. The fetish may be called upon to deal with issues concerning; disease, protection, sex or good fortune in general. It is also involved in tribal commitments. The Nkisi is subject to food offerings and prayer on a regular basis by the owner(s)out of faith and to maintain the objects' level of power. The fetish on display is a particularly strong one. It features 23 nails that have been driven into the top of its head. This usually is done when a tribal commitment is being made. The punishment for reneging on such an oath can be as severe as death. A heavy twisted cloth with scattered blue pigmentation has been wrapped around the crown of the head; enclosing the nailed top. The back features a wood stick bundling arrangement that has partially been bound in cloth strips and joined together by a mud-like compound. This bundled wood, mud, cloth combination extends around the neck of the figure and crosses downward to the front of the torso to join with two fetish bags, one being totally encrusted. The hands meet at the belly and hold a mirror porthole. It has been proposed that the glass is empowered to reflect any and all forms of negativity and evil. The mirror can also act as a porthole into the inner soul of an individual. The Nganga is the only tribe member that has the special ability to use the fetish in that manner. Directly underneath the arms, held in place by nailing, are a pair of animal horns. Whenever a fetish contains such an intense array of bilongo (spiritual medicines) such as the many bundled sticks, the mirror, the cloth, the fetish bags and the animal horns, it is deemed to be extremely powerful, effective and dangerous…but don’t worry this fetish is inactive! Right now it's an excellent collectible selection. Please click photo for enlargement! See another photo and Order button below. Sold! When OFFLINE click button to leave a message!
Dimensions: 15 1/2 inches tall x 9 inches deep x 7 1/2 inches wide. Wt: 9 lbs. **For a complete inventory listing please go to the 'Index' section on the Navigation Bar to your right** |
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