Power figure

Standing figure with mirror-glass eyes, rolls of cloth and shell strings around body. Uplifted right hand, seems to have held a spear. Black plaster or gum cap fitted on top of head. In it a tooth of leopard or bear has been restuck. Slots show there were once three more.

The Kongo believe that illness caused by bad spirits, and the jealousy of the living, can be chased away with power figures. A piece of mirror was once attached to this figure's front and the right hand held a knife or spear. A healer would look in the mirror to find the image of the spirit or person who had caused the patient's illness and work through the figure to overcome this.