Fetishes Handcrafted
by Native Americans
American Indian Fetishes - Zuni & Hopi
Many American Indian tribes practice fetish carving although
recently the art has been most 
often
associated with the Zuni Indian fetish carvers. American Indian animal
fetish carvings have been used over many years for a multitude of reasons,
depending on the particular tribe. American Indian animal fetish carvings
including Zuni Indian fetish carvings and Hopi Indian fetish carvings
that represent virtually every trait such as power, strength, protection,
guidance, humility, humor, endurance, leadership and many others. Animal
fetish carvings represent the spirit of the animals and it is believed
that if the fetish carver prays while carving the fetish, it will alleviate
many of his problems.
Most current fetish carvings are primarily of animals, although some other symbols such as Kachinas (various Hopi and Pueblo Gods) and totems are sometimes carved. Today’s American Indian fetish carvers use historic basic techniques as well as incorporating some of the newer technology. American Indian animal fetish carvings are normally done in a base material such as stone, antler, bone, horn, wood or shell. Some newer fetish carvings from Zuni fetish carvers, Hopi fetish carvers and others are done in more expensive stones such as selenite or fluorite. However most are done in the more traditional stones such as onyx, marble, turquoise, serpentine, sandstone, soapstone or alabaster.
Most fetish carvers make the simpler, more traditional forms of animals which may include such additions as a heart line or may come in pairs to represent a unity of souls.
Shop for Fetishes in our American Indian Store
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Although fetishes may be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth, it is imperative
that you take care not to damage the surface or attachments such as feathers
or arrowheads. As with all things, aging is natural and no attempt should
be made to change the appearance of the fetish.
Some of the characteristics associated with various animal spirits are:
As with all Native American Indian art, which particular fetish carvings a person wishes to purchase should be driven by their particular interest in the art itself, the animal, the characteristic or, in some cases, whether the carving was done by a Zuni fetish carver, a Hopi fetish carver, or one of the other Native American Indian fetish carvers.
Futures for Children American Indian Store attempts to purchase only authentic
Native American Indian made merchandise including authentic American Indian
animal fetish carvings whether they are from Zuni fetish carvers, Hopi
fetish carvers or any of the other American Indian tribes. It is our desire
to promote not only the education of American Indian Children, but to
promote the economy and well being of the American Indian communities
of which the Native American Indian artists are a primary contributor.
