Display indian fetish

NHM has amassed one of the world's most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history - more than 35 million objects, some as old as 4. The carving of miniature animals and fetishes is an important part of the Zuni economy today. The Study of Humankind. Some of these newer stones are malachite, marble, travertine, serpentine, and anything else that is carvable. The characteristics of the fetish animals and their possible usefulness for the owner are the basis of their selection. They were naturally formed stones that seemed to resemble people or animals, sometimes made more realistic with the features accentuated by a carver.

The mountain lion, wolf, and other predator animal fetishes provide the owner with power over the deer and other game animals.

06 - Zuni Fetishes

Boyd Walker was a professor of Ichthyology at UCLA, whose great interest in fetish carving led to his observation of the rapid and fascinating changes in Zuni fetish carving tradition in the late 20th century. The lightning is represented in the stone fetish by an inlaid or painted line. Read more about our Family. Some receive special places on the family altar; others are kept in their fetish bowl when not in use. Fetishes may be used in many ways, either by the individual or by the whole tribe: The earliest fetishes are called Ahlashiwe or stone ancients by the Zunis. Fetishes may be dusted with a soft, dry cloth.