nkisi

The term nkisi is the general name for a a spirit,or for any object that spirit inhabits. It is frequently applied to a variety of objects used throughout the Congo Basin in Central Africa thought to contain spiritual powers or spirits. The term and its concept have passed with the slave trade to the Americas, especially Latin America (in Palo Mayombe the spirits of nkisi are often called "mpungo"). The current meaning of the term derives from the root, *-kitį- referring to a spiritual entity, or material objects in which it is manifested or inhabits in Proto-Njila, an ancient subdivision of the Bantu language family.
Nkisi was a little gift Nelson gave to Ruth May when she was really sick. 


More info on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nkisi