The Kongo peoples inhabit the River Congo region in west-central Africa, and are divided into many subgroups, all of which have many different cults. Their strong belief in a wide spectrum of spiritual forces catalysed the development of a wealth of sculptural forms dedicated to containing and harnessing these forces. The statue shown here, called nkisi nkonde, represents a power figure generally associated with vengeance and aggression, but it could also be involved in the sealing of pacts between individuals — each nail or point driven into the statue reinforces the pact. Failure to keep the pact would provoke retribution from nkisi nkonde 's particularly ferocious spirit. From Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo by Evan M. Maurer and Niangi Batulukisi (University of Minnesota Press, $34.95, £24.50).