A Songye diviner, in addition to designing and empowering a community nkishi for the protection and well-being of all the village members, may prescribe a smaller nkishi for the private use of an individual, customized to their personal needs. The nkishi's scale and aesthetic form reflect its role as a personal devotional object standing on a circular base with flat feet beneath angular, muscular legs. The arms are bent alongside the torso with finely incised hands resting on the prominent abdomen: pointed breasts and cubistic shoulders under a broad neck surmounted by the round-slightly oval head. The face is sculptured with incised almond-shaped eyes and a nose as wide as the open mouth. Where "medicines" were once inserted, a cavity is evident in the stomach with the rest of the organic material. The sculpture has a delicate glossy cream to beige ivory patina.