| |
 Medicine
can be composed of a variety of substances, for example human or animal
matter, such as blood, hair, horns, bones, etc., that are considered powerful.
Grasses and leaves are especially important, in fact they represent medicine
itself.
Procedures with medicine are not limited to the production of invigorating
substances and the performance of rituals. Medicine is even more effective
when applied to particular objects: power figures in human or animal form
('fetishes'), sacred musical instruments and certain masks; they are activated
and filled with power. In many areas in Africa these objects are still
shrouded in secrecy.
|
 |
 |
 |
Power figure
Songye, Democratic Republic of Congo 19th century, acquired from Paul
Pogge, 1883
|
