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Nkisi medicine container

Vili People20th century

Mudec - Museum of Cultures

Mudec - Museum of Cultures
Milan, Italy

In Vili culture, nkisi are not properly objects, but embodied spirits. Objects called by this name are believed to be endowed with “medicine”, or the power to attract and host a spirit force.
Such objects can be shaped like an anthropomorphic figure, a bundle, or, as in this case, a basket of plant fibers containing an animal skull (in this case that of a monkey). It is not the container’s material form, but its active force that allows it to induce the spirit to either heal or hurt.

Details

  • Title: Nkisi medicine container
  • Creator: Vili People
  • Date Created: 20th century
  • Location Created: Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Physical Dimensions: h 22,7 cm
  • Type: Container
  • Rights: Alessandro Passaré Collection (172) - Museum of Cultures, Milan
  • Medium: Carved wood, fibers, monkey skull
  • Collocazione: Currently not on view

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