Mbele a lulendo (Chief's Sword) (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Modeled after a European sword, this object is actually an nkisi (power figure). The ivory grip is packed with red camwood powder and the pommel (the head-like knob at the top) is covered by a resin casing, typical of other nkisi. Seen as a whole, the hilt represents a human figure with right arm raised and left arm lowered—the Kongo sign for the crossroads between life and death. This gesture symbolizes the ruler’s ultimate authority. The raised right arm “hails the law,” while the lowered left arm “cools the community.” For example, when the ruler convicts a criminal to death (raised right hand upholding the law), he also reestablishes the peace, or coolness, of the community (lowered left hand) that the lawbreaker destroyed.
Kathleen Boone Samuels Memorial Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
