Extremely Rare Two Headed African Nkonde Nail Fetish Power Figure. Nkondi are religious idols made by the Kongo people of the Congo region. Nkondi are a subclass of minkisi that are considered aggressive. The name nkondi means "to hunt" and thus nkondi means "hunter" because they can hunt down and attack wrong doers, witches, or enemies. The primary function of a nkondi is be the home of a spirit which can travel out from its base, hunt down and harm other people. Many nkondi were used to protect villages. This is achieved by enlisting spiritual power through getting them to inhabit minkisi like nkondi. Nkondi are constructed by religious specialists, called nganga who gather materials called nlongo which when assembled, will become the home of a spirit. Often these materials include a carved human figure into which the other bilongo are placed. The nganga then either becomes possessed with the spirit or places the finished nkondi in a graveyard or other place where spirits frequent. Once it is charged, the nkondi can then be handed over to the client. According to Kongo testimony of the early twentieth century, people drive nails into the figures as part of a petition for help, healing, or witness-particularly of contracts and pledges. The purpose of the nailing is to "awaken" and sometimes to "enrage" the nkisi to the task in hand. Estimated more than 100 yrs old. (Pangaea Auctions) Size: See Ruler Photo. (Photos Represent The Condition Of The Lot.)

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