The Zuni Fetish Story

The use of fetishes by the Zuni Indians dates prior to pre-Columbian times, and their use is as prevalent today as it was in the past. All tribes in the Southwest make use of fetishes, but the Zuni have always had the reputation for being the most skillful at carving them. For this reason, all other tribes have always looked to Zuni Indian fetishes as their source for personal charms, talismans, and amulets. There are many purposes for which fetishes can be used: hunting, propagation, protection or even as a pet. The most prevalent belief is that the power resides in the spirit dwelling within the fetish, rather than the fetish itself. The difference between a carving and a fetish is purely a matter of belief. If a particular object is believed to possess power, then it is a fetish. The Zuni fetishes include: bears, moles, badgers, mountain lions, goats, sheep, frogs, turtles, horses, coyotes, wolves, and birds. The materials used to carve fetishes include such traditional stones as black jet, abalone, sandstone, marble, serpentine, red coral, turquoise, alabaster, and mother-of-pearl. Stabilized turquoise is commonly used, especially in larger table fetishes, as natural turquoise is very difficult to carve, and fetishes of natural turquoise are easily broken. For the Southwest Indian, there are six cardinal directions. The six directions are each represented by a mountain of a different color; they are the guardians of these six regions and the masters of the medicine powers for that region. The fetishes of the six directions are animals of prey and are as follows:

North --------- Mountain Lion (yellow)

West ---------- Bear (black or blue)

South --------- Badger (red)

East ---------- Wolf (white)

Upper Region -- Eagle (all colors)

Lower Region -- Mole (black)

Each of the animals has a different power, and the choice of animal depends on the purpose for which the fetish is intended. For example, a hunter in quest of a deer would use a mountain lion fetish as the deer is the natural prey of the mountain lion. Zuni fetishism can be extremely complicated; each animal can have six varieties of colors representing alternate powers.

Additional Reading: "ZUNI FETISHES" by Frank Hamilton Cushing. Or to Order any Zuni Fetish You can order online at Sunshine Studios