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What are Zuni fetish carvings and why do thousands collect them?

Tags: Zuni, Zuni Pueblo, Fetish carvings, Native American art

First, letГўпїЅпїЅs a look at the origin of Zuni and other Native American fetish carvings. They are deeply connected to Zuni history, belief and tradition.

Zuni people believe, as they have for hundreds of years, that their forefathers arrived from out of the earth to inhabit the earthГўпїЅпїЅs surface. The legend includes a belief about the difficulties of survival in a time and place where wild creatures were dominant. Humans as the smartest are the most distant from the Creator and, therefore, the most susceptible to danger. Animals, are the most natural and, therefore, closest to the Creator, with the immediate access to the power of the Creator. In seeking protection, Zuni people came to believe that the supernatural powers once sent down thunderbolts that froze the most dangerous creatures into stone.

As rocks and stones resembling creatures were discovered on the ground, they were accepted as surrogates for, and vessels for the spirit of, the creatures. It came to be believed that the stone creature possessed healing and protective powers.

In time, ГўпїЅпїЅfoundГўпїЅпїЅ fetish objects became supplemented and then replaced by creatures purposely carved from semi-precious and lapidary stones. Turquoise became, and continues as, a favorite because of its beauty and susceptibility to carving. Coral, antler, lapis lazuli, sugilite, shell, jet, marble, onyx, malachite, serpentine, pipestone, jasper and even wood (cedar) have been added to the menu of carving materials.

With the refinement of techniques and tools, carvings have evolved into more detailed and lifelike representations, although some carvers still prefer to produce the more abstract shapes that are truer to the original fetish concepts.

In addition, other tribal people picked up the tradition. At first, Navajos followed by carving creatures related to their pastoral lifestyle ГўпїЅпїЅ cows, sheep and goats. Cochiti Pueblo carvers produce more rough-hewn creatures, such as those carved by Salvador Romero. In some respects, these are closer in form to the original Zuni fetishes.

Obviously, Cochiti carvings are fetishes in name only since it is believed a carving must be blessed by Zuni priest to have the true power of a fetish. Therefore, the great majority of the carvings coming from Zuni today are not true ГўпїЅпїЅfetishesГўпїЅпїЅ. They are fascinating and splendidly executed carvings, but not fetishes by traditional standards.

Still, many people who collect and hold the carvings imbue them with the status and power of fetishes in their lives. These powers are based on those the Zunis attributed to the original fetish carvings:

The eagle is a protector from the sky. The bear is the protector of the West. The mountain lion is the protector of the North. The badger is the protector of the South. The wolf is the protector of East. And the mole is the protector of the underground. Some creatures, particularly bears have healing powers as well, which may account for the popularity of bears among collectors.

Today other creatures have been added to the variety of carvings, with some carvers specializing, or concentrating on a animal form. Among the new animals being carved are beavers, horses, porpoises, fish, owls, frogs, turtles and even more exotic creatures. We have seen and owned carvings of unicorns, sharks, domestic cats, and even a duck-billed platypus.

Specializing carvers include Lynn Quam, known for his buffalos, Emery Eriacho, known for bears, Carol Martinez, who emphasizes horses, Daniel Chattin, known for maidens in shell. Among other tribal carvers of note are Salvador RomeroГўпїЅпїЅs brother, Wilson from Cochiti, and WilsonГўпїЅпїЅs son-in-law, Julian Sanchez, a native of San Felipe. Another carver with an excellent reputation and following at San Felipe is Melvin Sandoval.

Among the most prominent and accomplished Zuni carvers are Jeffrey Tsalabutie, Gibbs Othole, Dee Edaakie, Alonzo Esalio, Abby Quam, the Quandelacy family, the Gasper family and Lena Boone and her family. The list pales when compared to the total of outstanding Zuni carvers, a list just too long to enumerate here.

There are two other features of fetish carvings worthy of mention. One is the heartline. This is an arrow-like design that runs from the mouth area of the creature to the area where a heart would be located. Most often it is inlaid, sometimes from a single contrasting stone ГўпїЅпїЅ usually turquoise. It may be a zig-zag or curve. It may be solid or made up of dots. It is said to encourage the healing power of the fetish carving by allowing access to the spiritual center of the creature when the carvingГўпїЅпїЅs owner exchanges breath from his or her mouth.

Another optional feature is known as the power pack or medicine bundle. It usually is manifested as an arrowhead of turquoise, shell or lapis with nuggets of turquoise and sprigs of coral, with the occasional inclusion of shell heishi, secured to the back or side of the carving with real or artificial sinew. This addendum is believed to represent a sacrifice to the fetish animal that enhances the protective and healing power of the carving.

Some people collect fetish carvings because they believe or want to believe in the power of the creatures. Others do so out of interest in a specific animal or in the work of a specific carver. Still others collect simply because they admire the artistry involved in the creation of each carving, or are fascinated by the history and tradition of this people from a distant time and place.

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<h1>What are Zuni fetish carvings and why do thousands collect them?</h1><br />by eyewriter<br />First, letГўпїЅпїЅs a look at the origin of Zuni and other Native American fetish carvings. They are deeply connected to Zuni history, belief and tradition.<br /><br />Zuni people believe, as they have for hundreds of years, that their forefathers arrived from out of the earth to inhabit the earthГўпїЅпїЅs surface. The legend includes a belief about the difficulties of survival in a time and place where wild creatures were dominant. Humans as the smartest are the most distant from the Creator and, therefore, the most susceptible to danger. Animals, are the most natural and, therefore, closest to the Creator, with the immediate access to the power of the Creator. In seeking protection, Zuni people came to believe that the supernatural powers once sent down thunderbolts that froze the most dangerous creatures into stone.<br /><br />As rocks and stones resembling creatures were discovered on the ground, they were accepted as surrogates for, and vessels for the spirit of, the creatures. It came to be believed that the stone creature possessed healing and protective powers.<br /><br />In time, ГўпїЅпїЅfoundГўпїЅпїЅ fetish objects became supplemented and then replaced by creatures purposely carved from semi-precious and lapidary stones. Turquoise became, and continues as, a favorite because of its beauty and susceptibility to carving. Coral, antler, lapis lazuli, sugilite, shell, jet, marble, onyx, malachite, serpentine, pipestone, jasper and even wood (cedar) have been added to the menu of carving materials.<br /><br />With the refinement of techniques and tools, carvings have evolved into more detailed and lifelike representations, although some carvers still prefer to produce the more abstract shapes that are truer to the original fetish concepts.<br /><br />In addition, other tribal people picked up the tradition. At first, Navajos followed by carving creatures related to their pastoral lifestyle ГўпїЅпїЅ cows, sheep and goats. Cochiti Pueblo carvers produce more rough-hewn creatures, such as those carved by Salvador Romero. In some respects, these are closer in form to the original Zuni fetishes.<br /><br />Obviously, Cochiti carvings are fetishes in name only since it is believed a carving must be blessed by Zuni priest to have the true power of a fetish. Therefore, the great majority of the carvings coming from Zuni today are not true ГўпїЅпїЅfetishesГўпїЅпїЅ. They are fascinating and splendidly executed carvings, but not fetishes by traditional standards.<br /><br />Still, many people who collect and hold the carvings imbue them with the status and power of fetishes in their lives. These powers are based on those the Zunis attributed to the original fetish carvings:<br /><br />The eagle is a protector from the sky. The bear is the protector of the West. The mountain lion is the protector of the North. The badger is the protector of the South. The wolf is the protector of East. And the mole is the protector of the underground. Some creatures, particularly bears have healing powers as well, which may account for the popularity of bears among collectors. <br /> <br />Today other creatures have been added to the variety of carvings, with some carvers specializing, or concentrating on a animal form. Among the new animals being carved are beavers, horses, porpoises, fish, owls, frogs, turtles and even more exotic creatures. We have seen and owned carvings of unicorns, sharks, domestic cats, and even a duck-billed platypus.<br /><br />Specializing carvers include Lynn Quam, known for his buffalos, Emery Eriacho, known for bears, Carol Martinez, who emphasizes horses, Daniel Chattin, known for maidens in shell. Among other tribal carvers of note are Salvador RomeroГўпїЅпїЅs brother, Wilson from Cochiti, and WilsonГўпїЅпїЅs son-in-law, Julian Sanchez, a native of San Felipe. Another carver with an excellent reputation and following at San Felipe is Melvin Sandoval.<br /><br />Among the most prominent and accomplished Zuni carvers are Jeffrey Tsalabutie, Gibbs Othole, Dee Edaakie, Alonzo Esalio, Abby Quam, the Quandelacy family, the Gasper family and Lena Boone and her family. The list pales when compared to the total of outstanding Zuni carvers, a list just too long to enumerate here.<br /><br />There are two other features of fetish carvings worthy of mention. One is the heartline. This is an arrow-like design that runs from the mouth area of the creature to the area where a heart would be located. Most often it is inlaid, sometimes from a single contrasting stone ГўпїЅпїЅ usually turquoise. It may be a zig-zag or curve. It may be solid or made up of dots. It is said to encourage the healing power of the fetish carving by allowing access to the spiritual center of the creature when the carvingГўпїЅпїЅs owner exchanges breath from his or her mouth.<br /><br />Another optional feature is known as the power pack or medicine bundle. It usually is manifested as an arrowhead of turquoise, shell or lapis with nuggets of turquoise and sprigs of coral, with the occasional inclusion of shell heishi, secured to the back or side of the carving with real or artificial sinew. This addendum is believed to represent a sacrifice to the fetish animal that enhances the protective and healing power of the carving.<br /><br />Some people collect fetish carvings because they believe or want to believe in the power of the creatures. Others do so out of interest in a specific animal or in the work of a specific carver. Still others collect simply because they admire the artistry involved in the creation of each carving, or are fascinated by the history and tradition of this people from a distant time and place.<br /><br /><h2>About the Author</h2><p>William Ernest Waites is a writer with more than 25 years experience in collecting, valuing and <a href="http://www.zunilink.com">reselling</a> all manner of tribal art.</p> <br /><h3><a href="http://www.content4reprint.com/hobbies/collecting/what-are-zuni-fetish-carvings-and-why-do-thousands-collect-them.htm" title="What are Zuni fetish carvings and why do thousands collect them?">Article Source:</a> <a href="http://www.content4reprint.com" title="Free high quality articles">Content for Reprint</a></h3>