Wood Carving- African Fetish

We've always appreciated African art. A Smithsonian exhibit inspired Don to do his own figurine besed on the Congo artifacts of the late 1800's. These were said to possess great power when infused with "medicines" by the Nganga (expert owner/operator), often in the belly as this one. The "medicines" were for leadership, interpretation, guidance, seeing, etc. and were used to protect and punish both in this world and the world of the "afterlife". This was carved from a fence post from our home in California. It is approx. 16" tall and contains medicines in the form of teeth, hair, food, money, something from the dead and living, etc. The mirror reflects evil and the nails would have been inserted over time to accomplish a specific task...often aimed at a specific person. We give thanks to those who left nails and screws along the railroad tracks of Northern California and Nevada. Every minkisi is unique...never finished.