Museum Explorer
Birds and beasts
in Africa
Kozo, the dog with two heads
From: the Democratic Republic of
Congo
Date: early 20th century AD
Kozo's two heads and four eyes mean that he can easily look between the two worlds of the dead and the living.
This wooden carving of Kozo would have been used by the Kongo people to ask dead ancestors for their help in finding and punishing wrong-doers. Powerful medicines were attached to Kozo's back. As each request for help was made, an iron blade was driven into him. You can see all the blades sticking out from his sides.
