Yombe

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.