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Fetishes Handcrafted by Native Americans

American Indian Fetishes - Zuni

 

Indian FetishSeveral 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 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 Zuni 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 and others are done in more expensive stones such as serpentine or fluorite. However most are done in the more traditional stones such as onyx, marble, turquoise, serpentine, sandstone, soapstone or alabaster.

Native American Indian Fetish

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. Many Zuni Fetishes come with "strength bundles" or "health bundles" attached. Strength bundles are often characterized by an arrowhead and health bundles are usually characterized by Turquoise. Some Zuni fetishes may actually contain both.

Occasionally, fetishes are also carved by the Navajo artists. Although the history of the fetish is related most exclusively to the Zuni carvers, some of the Navajo fetishes are purchased for collections. Many of these Navajo carvers have married into the Zuni tribe, which blurs the line between them.

Shop for Fetishes in our American Indian Store

There are traditionally six “guardian or God” fetishes for the six directions:

  • North – Mountain Lion
  • South – Badger
  • West – Bear
  • East – Wolf
  • Below (Inside Earth) – Mole
  • Above (Heaven) – Eagle

Each of these has younger brothers:

  • North – Yellow
  • South – Red
  • West – Blue
  • East – White
  • Below - Black
  • Above – Spotted

 


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:Indian Fetish

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 Navajo 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, Navajo 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.