Nkondi is a like a diploma given to nganga, a specialist who deals with social issues. He can be seen as a therapist who is invited-in a village, in the community circle-to deal with any issue that is a problem. Before they start discussing the matter, he has to put before him his nkondi to assure the village that he is qualified to discuss the mambu. The word mambu is what became "mambo jumbo" in the west. Without this object, the community won't accept him as trained or qualified.
The nkondi was truly a document on which contracts were signed. The knots can be tied by an individual or the community. It means someone is willing to make a decision. The nganga will lead a person to a resolution, then he will tie a knot, and then they nail it on the nkondi. From that time on, the person who signs that document has to act upon that contract or that agreement in his life.
Here you have an nkondi with mirrors as eyes. Mirrors are symbols of written words to tell you what the nganga does-that he is trained to see what goes on in the actual society. He can deal with issues that link the living and the dead. He alone can deal with this, through ceremonies and through medicines. The nganga who carries this nkondi tells the community that he has the knowledge to deal with such situations.
