#37-West African Nail Fetish

As used by traditional West African healers (aka witchdoctors). The nails represent spells which have been cast.
Below: The "Wide World" magazines from the 1950's and '60's had some gripping reads:

Nail fetishes were protective figures used by individuals, families, or whole communities to destroy or weaken evil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds, solemnize contracts or oath-taking, and decide arguments. A diviner or holy person would activate the statue, using magical substances. 

Some were used to identify and hunt down unknown wrongdoers such as thieves, and people who were believed to cause sickness or death by occult means. They were also used to punish people who swore false oaths and villages which broke treaties. To inspire the fetish to action, it was both invoked and provoked. Invocations, in bloodthirsty language, encouraged it to punish the guilty party. It would also be provoked by having gunpowder exploded in front of it, and having nails hammered into it. They were also used to literally "hammer out agreements"...with clear implications as to what would happen to people who broke the agreements. 

Read more: https://www.beprimitive.com/blog/minkisi-power-figures-and-nail-fetishes-from-central-africa

On the power of African art:

 https://glasstire.com/2022/08/12/beauty-ugliness-and-power-in-african-art-at-the-kimbell-art-museum-fort-worth/ 

Also" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nkondi

Also: https://www.randafricanart.com/Bakongo_Nkondi_figure.html

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