Power Figure: Male (Nkisi) 19th century Kongo peoples Central African power figures are among the ubiquitous genres identified with African art. Conceived to house specific mystical forces, they were collaborative creations of a Kongo sculptor and a ritual specialist (nganga). After an artist completed carving the wooden receptacle, the nganga filled it with powerful medicines (bilongo) that transformed it into an object capable of healing illness, settling disputes, safeguarding the peace, and punishing wrongdoers. Bilongo combines organic and inorganic substances chosen for their cultural significance that may include plant fibers, resins, stones, relics and pigments, among others. The rectangular mirror-covered box protruding from the abdomen and the overturned pottery bowl pierced with nails covering the head are the primary receptacles for these potent materials. The variously shaped blades inserted into the body are added by the nganga each time the figure's powers are called upo