The Zuni Indians of New Mexico have been known for their animal carvings (often called fetishes) for over 1,000 years, and their use is as prevalent today as it was in the past. Long prized as powerful religious icons, first by other Indian tribes, and now by non-Indians as well, fetishes have become one of the most popular items in Native American Art today.
Zuni Fetishes are not manufactured nor are they produced on demand. Each carving is a handmade work of art.
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. They are part of a very complicated religious system used by the Zuni people. Only with the permission of the Zuni Tribal elders are these available to the public.
There are many purposes for which fetishes can be used: hunting, propagation, luck, power, 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.
Stones that naturally look like animals are often called 'concretion fetishes.' Concretions and stones that require very little carving to bring out an image are considered more powerful than fetishes that require a great deal of carving. The reason lies in Zuni Mythology.
The origin of fetishes goes back to the time when the Zuni People were coming onto this area which is now known as the surface of the earth. At that time the animals were much bigger and fiercer than they are today and posed a great threat to the people. So, the Zuni People asked two of their warrior gods for their help. In response to their prayer for help, the gods took out their magic shields and lightning bolts struck the animals and turned them into stone. However, to protect the spirits of the animals and to give them special properties they left the heart beating in each one of the fetishes. Today the Zuni People still revere, care for and feed their fetishes due to the special properties which they possess.
There are over 300 individual carvers at Zuni today. That is up from only 15-20 in the early 1980's. Many of the new carvers were at one time jewelry makers but have since expanded their talents to making fetishes. Each carver makes a limited number of fetishes, both in style and in total output. They will many times concentrate on a single animal or a small grouping.
Some of the fetishes being made by the Zuni Indians include: bears, moles, badgers, mountain lions, foxes, frogs, turtles, snakes, coyotes and birds. The materials used to carved these fetishes include such traditional materials as black jet, turquoise, pipestone, serpentine, red coral, alabaster and shell. Some of the more exotic materials being introduced to the village by traders include sugilite, lapis, opal and variscite.
Some fetish carvings have special features. An inlaid stone arrow is called a lifeline or
heartline. Beginning at the mouth where breath gives life, it points to the soul where faith
and inner strength reside. A bundle tied on the back
with sinew consisting of stones, shells and/or arrowheads is sometimes seen. Coral in the bundle
represents ocean life, blue stones represent birds, black represents night creatures, brown is
earth and white is winter.
The bundle serves as an offering that prayers be heard and for protection and direction.
THE SIX DIRECTIONS
The six cardinal 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)
FETISHES AND THEIR MEANINGS
Each animal has a different power. The belief is that if you own that animal, and you treat it with respect, the animal will share its power with you. Some of the more popular animals and their related powers are listed below.
- Eagle - Spirit, a connection with the Divine
- Deer - the power of Gentleness
- Bear - Strength, introspection, Healing, power of the Soul
- Snake - Transmutation, life, death, rebirth, personification of lightning
- Turtle - Longevity, Oldest symbol of Mother Earth, the art of grounding
- Coyote - Master Trickster who tricks himself. laughter, humor and foolishness
- Wolf - Teacher, pathfinder, never ending journey of survival
- Mountain Lion - Power in Leadership, ability to Lead without insisting others follow
- Buffalo - Abundance and Prayer being fulfilled, Most sacred promise of prophesy
- Ram - Prosperity
- Beaver - Builder, Power of working and attaining a sense of achievement, given to someone who needs to get busy
- Fox - Camouflage, protection, ability to meld into one's surroundings and be unnoticed
- Owl - Guardian and protector of the Home, True Wisdom, can see what others cannot
- Badger - Aggressiveness and perseverence
- Horse - The Power Fetish, also has the possession of healing powers
- Frog - Invokes the spirits to bring Rain, Luck and Fertility
- Butterfly - Art of transformation, the ability to know or change the mind
- Crow - Keeper of the Sacred Law
- Otter - Women Medicine, the balanced female side, personification of femininity
- Dog - Loyalty, noble, a true and loyal friend
- Raven - Magic, the messenger of the Great Mystery, a change of consciousness
- Lynx - Knower of secrets, clarvoyance ability
- Mouse - Scrutiny, paying attention to detail
- Squirrel - Gathering, to store for times of need, to reserve for future use
The fetishes and carvings on this site are Authentic and are Guaranteed to be made by the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona.
As a Member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, we stress this point because too many replicas are on the market today being sold as Zuni when they are actually made as far away as Japan and Taiwan. When viewing and purchasing a fetish carving from us, we will include the artist's name and the material used. We go to Zuni and hand-pick every fetish offered for sale ourselves.
We have a special page that showcases some of the unique and unusual Zuni
Fetishes we've carried over the past year or two. These are shown for your viewing enjoyment on
our Private Collections Gallery
.
Zuni Fetishism can be
extremely complicated. For additional reading recommendations see our
Book Recommendation page.
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