Nail Fetish Statue - Bakongo - DR Congo (No reserve price)

The nail statue Nkisi, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is much more than a mere work of art. These sacred objects, used by the Kongo and Vili peoples, are charged with spiritual and mystical power. Carved in wood and adorned with nails and metal blades, the Nkisi are activated by a diviner, the Nganga, who inserts a magical charge called “bilongo” into a cavity of the statue. This charge is composed of vegetal and animal substances.

The nails driven into the Nkisi symbolize the activation of the spirit that inhabits the object. Each nail represents an invocation or a specific request. They are used to address various problems such as illnesses, infertility, and conflicts, and are used for divination and protection.

The ritual of licking the nail before driving it in is supposed to establish a direct link between the petitioner and the spirit of the Nkisi.

The traditions of the Nkisi have been affected by colonization, but they continue to be used in some communities, often in a context of cultural and spiritual renewal.

The Nkisi are not only spiritual tools but also witnesses to the collective memory and beliefs of the Kongo and Vili communities.