Nkisi means "medicine," not in the conventional sense but in the metaphysical sense. When the sculptor is ready, a shaman (nganda) places gris-gris (power material) inside it, e.g. roots, leaves, horns, which are filled with special energy by the shaman, Then the power object can be used in a number of ways, e.g., a healing figure would have a nail driven in with each prayer for health. Nails are also driven to "activate" the object for ritual use. The open hand of this figure used to hold a knife. (FLG)

Rotating video: https://vimeo.com/504457723