Community power figure

myminifactory

The Central African tradition of creating powerful figures relies heavily on the strategic insertion and application of spiritually charged substances, which are carefully guarded secrets known only to the ritual specialist. These substances come in many forms, including river clay, specific herbs, ashes from trees that have been scarred by battle, and flesh obtained from individuals who have taken their own lives. The sacred substances are strategically placed on the body of the power figure at precise locations such as the top of the head, mouth, ears, abdomen, and anus. X-ray images reveal the meticulous insertions and applications of these potent substances in various parts of the figure's anatomy, particularly in the head, abdomen, and other sensitive areas. Unlike smaller Songye figures that are owned by individuals, large power figures like this example are shared among the entire community. These figures are brought out during communal gatherings to address pressing concerns such as widespread illness, crop failure, or territorial disputes with neighboring villages. With its spiritual charge, the figure is regarded as a protective entity. This object was scanned by the Indianapolis Museum of Art.