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https://physiology.oberlincollegelibrary.org/files/original/599dcdd0fd64ab1dee4ce0f7680b84e2.jpg abf4b33ab7cdb74de6f63780f24573b0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi) Description An account of the resource Kongo spiritual thought was dominated by the dualistic concept of natural order and oppositional chaos which were kept in balance by the chief, ancestors, and the individual, acting in societally prescribed manners. With a breakdown in this balance, inauspicious events such as sickness, infertility or unexpected calamities occurred and were regarded as proof of witchcraft or evil sorcery, or conversely, the failure of the individual to obey the social mores that maintain stability. In such a case, a ritual expert or Nganga was required to rectify the problem. The role of the Nganga was to prescribe a specific charm, or nkisi (plural minkisi), consisting of a plethora of materials based on sympathetic magic that when added together and ‘activated’ by some means at the Nganga’s disposal would serve as an effective countermeasure to rebalance the natural forces gone awry. Most minkisi were little more than packets containing various organic and inorganic materials such as remains of predatory animals or stones and sand from the graves of powerful chiefs. However, in certain cases, the form taken was that of a human or animal figure empowered as an nkisi by the insertion of the prescribed materials into cavities in the body or added to the body of the figure itself. This nkisi figure is masterfully carved as a naturalistic standing male; his face strong and aggressive, and his hair a complex of feathers and other organic objects in a complex coif. The body is covered by a large quantity of various magical materials. The figure is ‘empowered’ by the addition of the nkisi charm in its belly and possibly in other cavities as well. The addition of white pigment to the face connects the nkisi with the spirit world. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bakongo Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://allenartcollection.oberlin.edu/emuseum/view/objects/asitem/id/36172">Allen Memorial Art Museum</a>, <span>Gift in honor of Alexandra Gould (OC 2011)</span> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 20th century Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Alexis Reed Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Wood, cloth, feathers, ritual materials, bush rope, animal fur, glass, and nails Overall: 21 × 4 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (53.3 × 11.4 × 11.4 cm) Type The nature or genre of the resource Figure Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2011.26.43