Power figure c. 1900

This power figure was created by the Songye people, and is now held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Power figures like this one are deeply embedded in the spiritual and social life of the Songye. They are believed to house spirits that can be harnessed for healing, protection, or to settle disputes. The figure's body is covered in small metal staples, each holding prayers or spells. The container held in front would be filled with sacred ingredients chosen to enhance the figure's specific powers. These figures challenge Western notions of art, pushing us to consider objects not just for their aesthetic value but for their active role in shaping individual and communal identities. They are at once aesthetic objects and active participants in the lives of the people who create and interact with them. The figure stands as a reminder of the complex interplay between power, belief, and identity.