These fetishes are used by the Songye as representative figures for diverse magical purposes. While smaller specimens were produced by family members even for the domestic usage, this big nkishi was made by a professional carver around 1920.
Next to its accurate design this complete specimen is characterized by its many attributes and metal fittings. Furthermore the forest buffalo’s horn still contains magical substances as well as in the raffia tubes left and right of the abdomen.
This very old and splendid specimen furthermore has a very special background. After it was bought by Mr. Kegel-Konietzko in the village of it’s origin in 1953, he kept the object in his collection for the next four years after which it passed to collection of Kegel-Konietzko’s professor, the well-known Hydro- Biologist Professor Hubert Caspers. After his death it was purchased back by Mr. Kegel-Konietzko.
Info-Link:
Boris Kegel-Konietzko 
month return privilege
