The Kongo considered that the Nkisi Minkondi was the most important type of Nkisi and the most specific one, until the missionaries and native religious reforms led to the disappearance, in the 1920s, of these sorts of power objects, as well as the rituals related to these. In the context of the Nkisi, “nailing” or “hammering” the object would excite or lure the spirit. Like the chiefs, and perhaps in association with them, the Minkisi Minkondi were considered as responsible for public order and practised their power on entire villages and communities. Sculptures of the Nkondi type belonged to the category of “upper Minkisi”. In the Kongo language, the process which consisted in inserting nails or blades into the sculpture, was referred to by the expression “Koma Nloko” or “Nkomono” which is translatable by “imprecation”. According to some sources, the nails or blades were removed once the relevant problem was solved, but this practice seems to have been limited to certain areas only of the Kongo region. The accumulation of nails and/or blades was the proof of a successful litany of the curse. This masculine Nkondi figure is in a position named pakalala, the fists on the hips. This is how the figure demonstrates that it is ready for combat, but also to heal, defend, or destroy the enemy. Have a look at the many pictures for an overview. Private collection.