butti

African fetish

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "fetish" initially referred to objects believed to possess supernatural powers in West Africa. Over time, its meaning broadened to include any object of irrational devotion or an object of sexual desire.1

In the Lower Congo region, butti are a type of fetish. These are figures used in the cult of supernatural forces sent by ancestors. Each butti has a specific purpose known only to its owner, and magical substances are placed within them to imbue them with power. These figures are often characterized by angular, geometric forms with linear ornamentation.2

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African art
Lower Congo (Kongo) cultural area
…known for their fetishes, called butti, which serve in the cult of a wide range of supernatural forces sent by the ancestors, who are not worshiped directly. Each figure has its own specific purpose not related directly to its appearance. When a figure is carved for a newborn child, part…
Read More
…known for their fetishes, called butti, which serve in the cult of a wide range of supernatural forces sent by the ancestors, who are not worshiped directly. Each figure has its own specific purpose not related directly to its appearance. When a figure is carved for a newborn child, part…
Read More