Gone On

Gone On into the Forest

The Kongo people see the cosmos divided into “this world” (nza yahi) and “the land of the dead” (nsi a bafwa). It is thought that one place the land of the dead can be found is in the forest. Cemeteries are usually located in the forest. The forest, it is believed, is the village of the dead and the wild animals are their livestock. To see both worlds one must have four eyes to see this world as well as the other. Dogs are thought to have this ability because they live in the village with their masters but also hunt in the forest. Some say that on the way to the village of the dead one passes through the village of the dogs.

Kozo (nkisi nkondi a mbwa) is double headed dog object which symbolizes their ability to see the world of the living and of the dead and is used to defend community members against illness, witchcraft, infertility, and can even provide success in specific pursuits like hunting.

Here are the dogs I have acquired or bred who have gone on into the forest. I will see you again when it is my turn to enter the forest.

~ African Imports ~

~ Fom ~

January 1, 2006 - February 27, 2006

~ Nsana ~

November 1, 2005 - December 30, 2008

~ Nzoro ~

November 19, 2014 - March 24, 2015

~ Mahogany ~

September 1, 2005 - June 13, 2020

~ Ebop ~

December 23, 2005 - September 28, 2022

~ Domestics ~

~ Ruby ~

January 11, 1995 - December 27, 2009

~ Cirrus ~

July 18, 1995 - December 18, 2010