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Vili

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

Probably early to mid-19th century
Wood, metal, glass, fabric, fiber, cowrie shells, bone, leather, gourd, and feathers

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The term nkisi refers to spirit-invested objects that were empowered with medicinal and magical ingredients called bilongo . In the case of this male figure, the bilongo are enclosed in the cap on the head and in the mirror-sealed resin packet on the abdomen. The name nkondi refers to the figure’s ability to hunt down and punish wrongdoers. A nail or a blade was driven into the figure to prompt the inhabiting spirit at every consultation.

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