'Power Animals' Fetish carvings represent animal spirits thought to reside in stone

Monday, 01 March 2010 00:00

Story by Ann Haver-Allen, Photos by Pia Wyer (fetishes all from the private collection of Pia Wyer) • Download this article pdf: pdf Zuni_Fetishes.pdf

In Native American traditions, animal guides provide information not normally accessible to the physical senses. Shamans guided people on special inner journeys to meet their “power animals.”

The ceremony included ritual, music and induced altered states of consciousness. Called a vision quest, seekers made a sacred connection with the Earth and established a special relationship with their “power animal.” Many Native American religions teach that animals can act as messengers to the gods.

Zunis learned to invoke the spirits of animals through fetishes that look like animals. Zuni fetishes are small stone animal carvings that can bring good fortune, rain and protection from witchcraft and enemies.

Zuni fetish carvings represent the animal spirit thought to reside in the stone. The full context of Zuni fetishes is complex.

But here is a simplified summary. Each of the six sacred directions (above, below, north, east, south and west) has an assigned color (multicolored, black, yellow, white, red and blue, respectively). Each direction and color has an associated animal (Eagle, Mole, Mountain Lion, Wolf, Badger and Bear).

Badger and Bear in the healing set are substituted with Bobcat and Coyote, respectively, in the hunting set. For maximum benefit, animals must be carved from stones of the appropriate color. For example, below is represented by Mole. The color is black, which means the fetish must be carved from hematite, jet, black marble, black onyx, snowflake obsidian, etc.

True fetishes must be blessed by a medicine man and are not commercially traded. Fetishes carved for trade represent a wide range of animals, including such fantasy animals as dragons. Here is a list of Zuni fetishes and their traditional direction, color and spiritual property.

BADGER: The badger represents the southern direction in a healing set and is often associated with the color red. He is believed to have knowledge of healing roots and herbs. Characteristics associated with badgers include tenaciousness, passion, control, persistence and earthiness. Badger can be carved from red jasper, red agate, pipestone, dolomite, etc.

BEAR: The bear represents the western direction in a healing set and is associated with the color blue. He is known for his curative powers. All bears are healers, but white bears are particularly powerful. Characteristics associated with bears include strength, courage, adaptability, healing and spiritual communion. Bear can be carved from lapis lazuli, turquoise, sodalite, azurite, etc.

BEAVER: Beaver fetishes represent home, family and unity. They are revered with water by some northeastern tribes. In Zuni they are carved by a variety of artisans some of whom put little tiny twigs in their mouths.

BOBCAT: The bobcat represents the southern direction in a hunting set. He is associated with the color red. He’s thought to be a clever hunter. Bobcat can be carved from red jasper, red agate, pipestone, dolomite, etc.

COYOTE: The coyote represents the western direction in a hunting set. He’s associated with the color blue. The coyote’s characteristics are arrogance and a sense of self-importance. Despite this, he can be a great teacher showing us how our impulsive nature or our self-centeredness fails to serve us well. And he can remind us to recognize those habits that ultimately make our lives more difficult. Coyote can be carved from lapis lazuli, turquoise, sodalite, azurite, etc.

EAGLE: The guardian of the zenith or sky, the eagle is multi-colored and he is part of both a healing and a hunting directional set. He is the messenger to the gods and associated with power, balance, dignity and grace. Highly revered in Zuni, the eagle’s feathers are still used in sacred ceremonies. Eagle can be carved from rainbow calsilica, tourmaline, Picasso marble, etc.

FOX: The fox is quick and observant. He approaches life with amusement and cleverness and can make himself invisible when threatened. When in an uncomfortable situation, become fox-like. Blend in, make no quick moves and plan your escape!

FROG: Frogs are a motif found in Puebloan art. They are most often associated with water, prayers for rain and fertility.

HAWK: Known for their hunting skills and in keeping rodents away from crops, hawks are carved in a similar fashion to eagles. While eagles are the messengers to the gods, falcons and hawks are the messengers to people or between animals.

HORSE: Horses are not a traditional animal of the Zuni, but they carve them (and probably have for generations) for other tribes and for herd protection. Characteristics associated with horses are power and achieving one’s potential.

MACAW: The macaw is an important bird in Puebloan cultures. Their carcasses have been found at Chaco providing evidence of trade with cultures that lived much further south. Even today macaw feathers are highly prized and used ceremonially and in dance costumes. The macaw plays a part, as does the raven, in the Zuni story of migration.

MOLE: Moles are the unassuming guardians of the underworld. They are also appreciated for keeping the gardens free of pests. Associated with the color black, they are often carved of jet or black marble. Moles remind us to watch for the subtle things in life. Change is still change even when made in small increments! Mole can be carved of jet, he-matite, black marble, snowflake obsidian, black onyx, etc.

MOUNTAIN LION: Thought to be the most powerful hunter, the mountain lion is the guardian of the northern direction. He is associated with the color yellow and appears in both hunting and healing directional sets. The mountain lion reminds us to persevere, clarify our goals and move forward to achieving our dreams. Mountain lion can be carved from tourmaline, yellow jasper, dolomite, calcite, etc.

RABBIT: The rabbit is not a traditional Zuni animal but was likely carved to satisfy requests from other tribes and, in more recent times, demands from collectors. Rabbits are usually the dinner of predators, so they are often associated with facing fears and the avoidance of making them our reality. Due to their reputation for abundant reproduction they are also associated with birthing and fertility.

RAVEN: The raven is not a traditional fetish but he is carved often, and beautifully, by a number of artists. He is generally carved of jet or black marble though he can appear in virtually any stone of the artist’s choosing. While considered somewhat of a prankster, he doesn’t have the negative characteristics associated with the coyote. The raven can help us work through failure and shortcomings by reminding us that anything we have the courage to face, we have the power to transform.

TURTLE: The turtle is a symbol of the earth in most Native American cultures. He is also associated with self-reliance, nonviolent defense and being a skillful navigator through life’s obstacles.

WOLF: Wolf is considered the younger brother of the bobcat in a hunting directional set. He is most often associated with the color white and may be carved from selenite or white marble, alabaster or serpentine that is pale in color. Characteristically, he’s thought to be loyal with strong family ties. Wolf can be carved from white onyx, selenite, white marble, howlite, etc.