Kongo: Power and Majesty

A recent study of Kongo power figures, including a prominent sculpture from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, reveals that these artifacts were not merely decorative but functioned as receptacles for an immaterial spiritual force. Through interdisciplinary analysis involving art historians, conservators, and scientists, the research demonstrates that these figures underwent systematic ritual modifications by specialists (ngangas) after leaving the sculptor’s hands, adding hardware to their exteriors and interiors. The study challenges Western perceptions of Kongo society as isolated, highlighting instead its dynamic engagement with European influences through trade and diplomacy. By examining 120 Kongo artworks, the research situates these creations within a broader historical context, exploring themes of power, leadership, and cultural exchange between the Kingdom of Kongo and Europe from the late 15th century onward.

LaGamma, A. (2015). Kongo: Power and Majesty. African Arts, 48(3), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.1162/afar_a_00241