BarakatGallery · Marrakech

Peoples

Yombe

Also spelled: Bayombe, Mayombe
Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Angola
Region: Mayombe forest, Lower Congo

The Yombe of the Mayombe forest, between the Atlantic and the Congo river, are renowned for nkisi nkondi figures, phemba mother-and-child carvings and finely carved staffs. Their power figures combine a dignified, naturalistic head — often with the mpu cap of chiefs — with a torso densely studded with iron nails and blades, each one an oath or a judgement sealed before the figure.

Pieces from the Yombe 28 pieces

Nkisi Figure, Kongo (Yombe Style), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nkisi Figure, Kongo (Yombe Style)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930) · AF.0091

Standing power figure with red and blue face (nkisi nkondi) — front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Standing power figure with red and blue face (nkisi nkondi)

20th century, probably mid to late · AF.0086

Power Figure with Beard and Bell (Nkisi Nkondi), three-quarter view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Beard and Bell (Nkisi Nkondi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0013

Power Figure with Mirror and Beard (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Mirror and Beard (Nkisi Nkondi)

19th or 20th century. · AF.0012

Nail Figure with Iron Halo (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nail Figure with Iron Halo (Nkisi Nkondi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0016

Two-Headed Power Figure (Nkisi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Two-Headed Power Figure (Nkisi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0018

Large Power Figure with Raised Fist (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Large Power Figure with Raised Fist (Nkisi Nkondi)

Second half of the 19th to early 20th century. · AF.0020

Power Figure with Bowl-Covered Head and Mirror (Nkisi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Bowl-Covered Head and Mirror (Nkisi)

Mid-19th to early 20th century (c. 1850–1930). · AF.0019

Power Figure with Divided Face (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Divided Face (Nkisi Nkondi)

20th century, in the classic nkondi tradition. · AF.0024

Seated Figure with Hand to Chin (Nkisi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Seated Figure with Hand to Chin (Nkisi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0025

Seated Figure with Back Charge (Nkisi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Seated Figure with Back Charge (Nkisi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0026

Dog Figure (Nkisi Kozo)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dog Figure (Nkisi Kozo)

Probably 19th to early 20th century. · AF.0027

Nail Figure with Studded Head (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nail Figure with Studded Head (Nkisi Nkondi)

20th century, in the classic nkondi tradition. · AF.0028

Power Figure with Raised Arm and Crown (Nkisi Nkondi), view 1

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Raised Arm and Crown (Nkisi Nkondi)

20th century, in the classic nkondi tradition. · AF.0022

Bust with Raised Fist and Nail Halo, on a Carved Head (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bust with Raised Fist and Nail Halo, on a Carved Head (Nkisi Nkondi)

The bust mid-19th to early 20th century (c. 1850–1930); the head below is by a different hand and may have been joined t · AF.0032

Power Figure with Ringed Hand (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Ringed Hand (Nkisi Nkondi)

Probably first half of the 20th century, in the later phase of the classic tradition. · AF.0004

Power Figure with Raised Arm (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Raised Arm (Nkisi Nkondi)

Probably first half of the 20th century, in the later phase of the classic tradition. · AF.0005

Monumental Power Figure with Kaolin-Painted Face (Nkisi Nkondi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Monumental Power Figure with Kaolin-Painted Face (Nkisi Nkondi)

Late 19th or 20th century, in the tradition of the monumental figures of the Chiloango River region. · AF.0007

Fibre-Bound Power Figure (Nkisi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fibre-Bound Power Figure (Nkisi)

Mid-19th to early 20th century (c. 1850–1930), judging by its construction. · AF.0009

Pair of Power Figures (Minkisi Minkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Pair of Power Figures (Minkisi Minkondi)

20th century, probably mid to late 20th century, in the classic Yombe and Vili style. · AF.0011

Power Figure with Incised Cap (Nkisi Nkondi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Incised Cap (Nkisi Nkondi)

Probably first half of the 20th century, in the later phase of the classic tradition. · AF.0003

Fibre-Bound Power Figure with Painted Face (Nkisi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fibre-Bound Power Figure with Painted Face (Nkisi)

Mid-19th to early 20th century (c. 1850–1930), judging by its construction. · AF.0008

Standing Power Figure with Hands on Hips (Nkisi Nkondi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Standing Power Figure with Hands on Hips (Nkisi Nkondi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0015

Power Figure with Feather Crest (Nkisi Nkondi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Feather Crest (Nkisi Nkondi)

Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880–1930). · AF.0017

Power Figure with Peaked Crest (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Peaked Crest (Nkisi Nkondi)

20th century, in the classic nkondi tradition. · AF.0021

Monumental Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Monumental Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

Probably first half of the 20th century, in the later phase of the classic tradition. · AF.0006

Large Power Figure with Raised Arm and Head Bundle (Nkisi Nkondi)

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Large Power Figure with Raised Arm and Head Bundle (Nkisi Nkondi)

20th century, in the classic nkondi tradition. · AF.0023

Power Figure with Encrusted Torso (Nkisi Nkondi), front view

Yombe · Democratic Republic of the Congo

Power Figure with Encrusted Torso (Nkisi Nkondi)

Probably 19th to early 20th century. · AF.0014