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Nkondi Nkonde nail fetish Congo Kinshasa Zaire Art Africa Power
Nkondi Nkonde nail fetish minkondi minkisi Fetishes protective figures used by individuals, families, or whole communities to destroy or weaken evil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds solemnize contracts or oath taking decide arguments A diviner or holy person would activate the statue, using magical substances. Fetishes gained power and were effective because people believed in them The nkondi are the most powerful of the nkisi They were used to identify and hunt down unknown wrongdoers such as thieves, and people who were believed to cause sickness or death by occult means. They were also used to punish people who swore false oaths and villages which broke treaties
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Photo credit: © Peter Horree / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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