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Minkisi and the afflictions associated with them are generally classified into two types; the "of the above" and the "of the below". The above minkisi are associated with the sky, rain, and thunderstorms. The below minkisi are associated with the earth and waters on land. The above minkisi were considered masculine and were closely tied to violence and violent forces. The below minkisi were considered feminine and were tied to healing. The minkisi of the above were largely used to maintain order, serve justice, and seal treaties.

Lagamma, A. (2008). The Recently Acquired Kongo Mangaaka Power Figure. Metropolitan Museum Journal, 43, 201–210. https://doi.org/10.1086/met.43.25699095

Often, people would seek aid through nkisi. In order to do so, an individual would have to seek the guidance of nganga. The nganga would proceed using their ability to intervene with nkisi on behalf of the person seeking aid.

There is also a difference between personal, and community Nkisi. Personal Nkisi figures were much more anonymous. They often were kept within a private domicile. While Community Nkisi on the other hand were much less anonymous, often times overlooking the village in a way to intentionally be visible to many in the village. They were meant to be visible, but often times were kept inside their own personal enclosure during the daytime.

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Minkisi and the afflictions associated with them are generally classified into two types; the "of the above" and the "of the below". The above minkisi are associated with the sky, rain, and thunderstorms. The below minkisi are associated with the earth and waters on land. The above minkisi were considered masculine and were closely tied to violence and violent forces. The minkisi of the above were largely used to maintain order, serve justice, and seal treaties.

Birds of prey, lightning, weapons, and fire are all common themes among the minkisi of the above. They also affected the upper body. Head, neck, and chest pains were said to be caused by these nkisi figures. Some figures were in the form of animals. Most often these were dogs (kozo). Dogs are closely tied to the spiritual world in Kongo mythology. They live in two separate worlds; the village of the living, and the forest of the dead. Kozo figures were often portrayed as having two heads – this was symbolic of their ability to see both worlds

Na monanga are associated with a powerful person, with great reasoning, bringing happiness and fortune. They often were created carefully, have a tranquil expression, and are covered in decorations consisting of different substances.

Konde and npezo figures are both crafted to look menacing. Npezo is beleived to have its powers weakened by laughter. Kode commonly were were often covered with nails driven into the figure itself, and decorated with tubes of various substances. The most common of witch being gunpowder. The idea behind this is for it to be used for killing ndoki, who is associated with the powers of a witch. It is also a nkisi that is seen as the most evil-minded. there is a belief behind konde that they cause people who are creating major troubles to come down with a serious sickness.

There is also a difference between personal, and community Nkisi. Personal Nkisi figures were much more anonymous. They often were kept within a private domicile. While Community Nkisi on the other hand were much less anonymous, often times overlooking the village in a way to intentionally be visible to many in the village. They were meant to be visible, but often times were kept inside their own personal enclosure during the daytime.