What are fetishes?

Fetishes are inanimate objects made of wood, stone, shell, bone, pottery, or other materials, that are believed to have power and to bring this power to their human owners. According to Wikipedia, the concept was coined by  a man named Charles de Brosses in 1757. Fetishes are found among indigenous peoples around the world.

The practice of making fetish jewelry is fairly modern and arose from the desire of non-Native Americans to own "Indian style" items.

Southwestern Native American Fetishes

Many North American natives have made fetishes, but most are created in the American Southwest. It is the Zuni that have become known for fetishes in the greatest number and variety. In fact, Zuni carvers have supplied fetishes to other tribes for many generations, in the same manner that the Santo Domingo craftspersons have supplied other tribes with finely cut shell beading called "heishi."

The first, and still the most powerful, Zuni fetishes were naturally formed stones that resembled people or animals. Now, Zuni fetish carvings have inlaid eyes, spirit lines, and tribal motifs, and can be very finely detailed.

Fetishes were originally made for hunting, rain and harvest, religious ceremonies and initiation. Now they are used for spiritual guidance, good luck, gambling, strength and healing, longevity, attraction of the opposite sex, fertility, protection from disease and evil and, most of all, for decorative purposes. Fetishes may belong to an individual, a family, a clan, or an entire group. Their power is NOT inherent. Fetishes are only magical when they are used.

About Me and About this Guide

My name is Nancy Lorieau and I grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona. When I was a child, my father spent a great deal of time on the reservations of Arizona and New Mexico because of his profession (civil engineer). Both my parents were very knowledgeable about, and collectors of, Native American jewelry. I got my first fetish necklace (a Santo Domingo thunderbird necklace) in 1952. In addition, I own more than a hundred pieces of fetish jewelry, and have a library of reference works on southwestern jewelry of all kinds. I also research every piece that I come across as a dealer. The purpose of this guide is to illustrate some of the characteristics of fetish jewelry attributed to southwestern Native Americans, especially the Zuni, Santo Domingo and Navajo tribes.

Characteristics of Zuni, Santo Domingo and Navajo Fetish Jewelry

Fetish jewelry began to be popular in the latter half of the 20th century. Although some jewelry-type artifacts have been discovered, most fetish jewelry is made for non-native collectors. In addition to the Zuni, fetish jewelry is made by carvers from other cultural groups, including the Santo Domingo (birds only) and the Navajo peoples. Navajo carvers produce fetishes mostly for collectors, since fetishes are not characteristic of the Navajo culture. Some typical characteristics, by tribe, are:

Zuni

Zuni work is meticulous, usually has lots of detail and a comes in a variety of styles. All work, whether aimed at the tourist or the collector, is cleanly executed and well proportioned. Many of the creatures are rounded, rather than flat. Flat carved birds are often carved on the curve of the shell. Early Zuni fetish jewelry frequently featured elongated birds.

Figure 1. Old Bird Fetish Necklace, Zuni Deyuse Family - Probably Leekya Deyuse

Figure 2. Closeup of Bird Fetish Necklace by Zuni David Tsikewa

Figure 3. Closeup of Bear Fetish Necklace by Jewelita Quam

Santo Domingo

According to Oscar T. Branson in "Fetishes and Carvings of the Southwest" (1976) Santo Domingo carvers, for religious reasons, carve only birds and do not sign their work. Most characteristic of their work are their "flying hawks". Often, Santo Domingo artists will mix fetishes with other ornaments in "treasure" necklaces.

Figure 4. Santo Domingo Heishi Nugget Flying Hawk Necklace

Figure 5. Detail of Santo Domingo Necklace (above)

Figure 6. Santo Domingo Treasure Fetish Necklace

Figure 7. Old Santo Domingo Fetish Necklace with Inlaid Shell

Navajo

Although fetishes are not part of the Navajo culture, they are now very prolific carvers. Stacked fetish necklaces (now often copied in Asian imports) were first produced by Navajo artisans. Navajo fetishes are often large, sometimes fairly primitive looking, often amusing. Heishi strands are frequently purchased either from the Santo Domingo or from non-Indian sources. Like the Santo Domingo, the Navajo often mix fetishes, made or purchased, with other items in "treasure" necklaces.

Figure 8. Old, Very Fine Turquoise Stack Fetish Necklace (artist unknown)

Figure 9. Closeup of Stack Fetish Necklace Above

Figure 10. Closeup of Mass Produced Navajo Made Stack Fetish Necklace (M & M Trading)

This is the first in a series of guides about fetish jewelry made attributed to southwestern US Native Americans. The next guide will focus on what to look at in a piece before deciding to buy.