What is a Fetish?

What is a Fetish?

"Fetish" is a term used to describe a Native American carving which is believed to hold special power. A blessing by a priest or shaman gives a fetish "true" power, but all fetish carvings may become "true" fetishes if they are properly blessed and used.

Although a number of Native American tribes create and use fetishes, the most well known are the Zuni. In Zuni mythology, animals at one time were struck by lightning and shrunken into stone, with instructions to help mankind with the magic held deeply in their hearts. A naturally formed stone that resembles an animal is regarded by the Zuni to have greater power than a fetish that requires a great deal of carving, but the same general beliefs pertain to both.

Fetishes may be of any form or material. Regardless of the form or material however, a Fetish has one paramount purpose; to assist man against any real or potential problems. The problems can be those of the mind, the body or the universe.

A Fetish can be owned by any individual, family, clan, kiva society or by the entire tribe. Regardless of the ownership, the care of a Fetish is always the responsibility of an individual. Special care must be taken to see that the Fetish is properly fed, admired, and cared for.

Fetishes are believed to feed on cornmeal while they are kept in a special pot or pouch. Ground turquoise is often mixed with the cornmeal.

A Fetish may be made and "decorated" with turquoise, arrowheads, and coral, etc. as a means of adornment. This adornment is a show of affection and appreciation by its maker and/or owner. The better treatment a Fetish receives, the better performance it is likely to provide. Fetishes are also used to make necklaces and other types of jewelry.

Most Fetishes relate to animals. Most often these animals are animals of prey. They are acknowledged as the most powerful providers in life; so, they are likewise accepted as having the greatest Fetish powers. They are generally admired for their strong hearts. Many believe their strong hearts make them dominant and therefore, survivors; the hunter rather than the hunted.

The Zuni Indians of New Mexico believe strongly in six cardinal guardian Fetishes. Each is symbolic of a direction and has a specific color with which it is associated. The guardian Fetish of the North is the mountain lion (yellow). The South (red) is the badger, the West (Blue) is the bear and the East (white) is the wolf. Additionally, the mole is the guardian of the Nadir of Inner Earth (black) and Zepath (the air) is the eagle (all colored bird forms).

The power and strength of a Fetish is obtained by placing the nostrils of the fetish to one's mouth and taking deep breaths.

Most Fetishes are made from semi-precious stones, minerals and shells which are of natural beauty that are the gifts that nature has provided us. Grandfather's Spirit has a large assortment of Fetishes in numerous colors; made of malachite, azurite, pipe stone, soap stone, marble, jet, sugilite, turquoise, coral, spiny oyster, amber and several varieties of serpentine.So what is a Fetish? "Fetish" is a term used to describe a Native American carving which is believed to hold special power. A blessing by a priest or shaman gives a fetish "true" power, but all fetish carvings may become "true" fetishes if they are properly blessed and used.

American Indians have used Fetishes throughout recorded history; especially the Indians of the Southwest. Fetishes may be of any form or material. Regardless of the form or material however, a Fetish has one paramount purpose; to assist man against any real or potential problems. The problems can be those of the mind, the body or the universe.

Adapted from New Mexico Bead & Fetish - ©2003

If you would like to learn more about fetishes, we suggest the following four books: