Fetish Necklaces
Preceding Spanish contact, the prehistoric natives of the American Southwest, the Anasazi and Hohokam, carved zoomorphic images out of natural stone, shell, wood, animal bone and antler. Thought to protect against ailing health and to ward off bad luck, the fetishes, placed in adobe walls or buried in the floors of kivas, provided a sense of security against the ills of nature. Used in ceremonial dances and prayers, the objects of affection convey special meanings to various clans, and were often protected and held in the possession of the clan leader. Today, their descendants, the Zuni, fashion the lifelike images into articles of jewelry, specifically, the fetish necklace.
According to the Zunis, the fetish necklace, imaged after an array of animals, possesses supernatural powers that often reflect the animal’s natural traits or persona. For example, the coyote fetish reflects intelligence and craftiness, whereas the bear fetish represents power and strength. Other fetish necklaces perform specific duties, such as the sheep fetish, which serves as a protector of the flock against natural predators. Worn during a hunt, the magical spirits of the animal guardians charm and weaken the pray, allowing for a successful pursuit.
Derived from various forms and designed in numerous ways, the fetish necklace serves both functional and ornamental purposes. Whether the likeness is a natural representation or a sculpted one, the image portrayed often depicts a bird, bear, fox, sheep, coyote, or other living creature. The fetish, worn as a pendant or a necklace itself, is generally strung on heishi strands, manufactured from shell or turquoise. Fetish necklaces come in varied strands, ranging from one to over five. Depending on the designer, some fetish necklaces are privy to a particular animal such as the bird, while others are interspersed with an assortment of fauna. The fetishes, however, are not limited to necklaces only.
Used as a pendant on bracelets and earrings, or as design on a Concho belt, the fetish serves multiple purposes. Just like the fetish necklace, the fetish bracelet, made from beads or silver, are adorned with various animalistic images, serving both aesthetic and supernatural purposes. Often displayed in sets, matching earrings with identical fetishes enhance the beauty of the jewelry, especially when worn in tandem with the fetish necklace and fetish bracelet. When embellished with turquoise fetishes, the silver Concho belts that are highly recognizable to the Southwest, exhibit new meanings. In all its variations, fetish necklaces and fetish jewelry are a respected form of Zuni art.
