KISSI FETISHES, Sierra Leone

KISSI Fetish 3 6.5" high $ 300

KISSI Fetish 5 9" high SOLD

The Kissi fetishes below are sold and are left here for educational and research purposes.

KISSI Fetish 1 6" x 8" high SOLD

KISSI Fetish 2 7.5" high SOLD

Authentic Kissi fetishes are very rare. Despite their appearance, these fetishes show no evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

We know little about these fetish objects from the Kissi people. There are some similarities with objects from the Toma people in Guinea.

A fetish is a statue or object with magical power, like an amulet, talisman or good luck charm. In traditional, tribal Africa, especially in Zaire, these beliefs are manifested in some of the most expressive and magical power figures ever created. This exhibit brings together the relics of many peoples, all used for specific functions, usually to conjure away evil spirits or attempt to control one's destiny.

Common to many tribes was the belief that the fetishes acquired power through the ritualistic carving and consecration, the addition of special substances and the recurring activation of its spirit by offering sacrifices and magic words. Some fetishes have the heads or stomachs hollowed out to hold special substances; some have mirrors to reflect back evil or to blind hostile spirits; some are Janus-figures for better vigilance and protection. Among the materials added to the wood figures are horns, shells, nails, feathers, mirrors, metal, twine, paint, cloth, raffia, fur, beads and herbs; anything thought to add power or magic.

If you are looking for a particular tribe or object please check our Indexes by Tribe, by Object or by Material.