Accession Number
2005/1.218

Title
Power Figure

Artist(s)
Luba

Artist Nationality
Luba (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1900

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
8 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in (21 cm x 6.4 cm x 6.4 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Candis and Helmut Stern

Subject matter
This woodcarved nkishi mihasi (pl. mikishi mihasi), or “benevolent” power figure, is attributed to the western Luba Shankadi people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and exhibits many of the traits found in their figural sculpture, including the type of wood used. Falling under the Luba sculptural genre known as mikishi mihasi, these figures are regarded as receptacles of the spirits of deceased, beloved relatives or benevolent ancestors. The owner of such a figure would call upon these spirits in order to procure good health, fortune, and safety against any harm.
In this particular nkishi mihasi, the female’s positioning of her hands alongside the breasts as well as the crescent-shaped scarification motifs upon the pelvis clearly evoke the themes of reproduction and maternity. More specifically, the spirit of the the moon, which is associated with women, represents fecundity and the cycling of life and death. Hence, this nkishi mihasi serves as a visual reminder of the female spirit’s assured assistance in fertility, and by extension, the continuation of the lineage—a chief concern among the community.

Reference:
Maurer, Evan M. and Niangi Batulukisi.  Spirits Embodied:  Art of the Congo, Selections from the Helmut F. Stern Collection.  Minneapolis:  The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 1999.

Physical Description
This woodcarved figure exhibits elaborate diamond-shaped scarifications throughout the torso and crescent-shaped ones across the pubis; a disproportionately long trunk; and, protruding breasts and umbilicus. With semi-spherical feet, the figure stands with knees slightly bent. Her round head features an angular face; a large, concave forehead; coffeebean-shaped eyes; a triangular nose; a small mouth; and a coiffure styled in cascading tiers. The elbows are bent such that her fingers rest atop the shoulders, adjacent to the breasts.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
figure

Additional Object Classification(s)
Wood and Woodcarving

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
ancestors
crescents (motifs)
fertility
maternity
moons
power
scarifications (visual works)