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Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg)
Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg)
Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg)

Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg)

Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_side_SL4.jpg)

Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_side_SL4.jpg)

Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1996.21_print_front_bw.jpg)

Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1996.21_print_front_bw.jpg)

Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_profile_PS2.jpg)

Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_profile_PS2.jpg)

Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1996.21_print_side_bw.jpg)

Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1996.21_print_side_bw.jpg)

Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_transpc003.jpg)

Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_transpc003.jpg)

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Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)

Arts of Africa

Magical specialists called banganga use sculptures such as this male half figure known as a mukishi as devices for protection and divination. A mukishi is infused with magical substances drawn from the wild, which activate the spirit force of the object. This figure derives its power from a small medicinal charge in the cranium, a "skirt" of monkey fur, a tiny horn worn on the right arm as an amulet, and a small gourd filled with magical substances, as well as from its sacrificial coating of palm oil.

[Text not currently in gallery]

CULTURE Zimba
MEDIUM Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil
  • Place Made: Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • DATES 19th century
    DIMENSIONS 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1996.21
    CREDIT LINE Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The main portion of the object consists of a carved human effigy. Stylized features of face, beard, hairdo and torso. Earholes have been drilled on both sides of the head. Another hole on top of the head has been filled with unknown material. The p. right arm is wrapped with cordage which runs through a small horn and ties it to the arm. Another length of cord runs around the waist and through a small gourd bound to the back. Below this the object has been wrapped with a piece of hide, most of its fur still intact. It is tied at the back The wood, cord, horn and gourd have been coated with an oil/resin material. Condition: good and stable. The wood shows some cracking; the hide is generally brittle. The surface is dusty overall.
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Zimba. Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi), 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg)
    IMAGE threequarter, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Zimba. <em>Divination Torso Figure (Nkishi)</em>, 19th century. Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil, 7 3/4 x 4 x 5 1/2 in. ( 19.7 x 10.2 x14.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Roebling Society in memory of Sylvia Williams, 1996.21. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.21_threequarter_PS2.jpg)

    TAGS

    mixed
    media
    sculpture
    Divination Torso Figure
    Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil
    Zimba

    TAGS

    mixed
    media
    sculpture
    Divination Torso Figure
    Wood, fur, cord, horn, gourd, metal, palm oil
    Zimba

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