A
fetish is a charm believed to possess the power to change a course of events
for good or evil.
To Zunis, fetishes were sacred objects believed to represent powerful animal
spirits that could be called upon to assist humans in their daily lives.
Zunis believed man to be the creature farthest removed from the gods and
least equipped to survive in nature. Animals with fangs, claws, keen
eyesight, fleetness, ferocity and the ability to fly were much better
equipped for survival and could act as messengers to the gods. To help
themselves survive, the Zunis found or created images of these powerful
animals.
Some experts use the word "fetish" to refer to sculptures made for religious
purposes and the word "carvings" for figures made for sale. Real fetishes
(made for religious purposes) are often carved, decorated, or prepared in
special, secret ways that make them different from commercial carvings.
Even real fetishes do not become fetishes until they are blessed by the
tribe's Medicine Society at the Winter Solstice gathering.
Belief in the power of the object is said to be the distinguishing factor
between a fetish and a carving. Some collectors actually believe in the
power of the animal spirit represented by the carvings so perhaps, for them,
the term "fetish" is applicable.
