Indian Artifacts -- Carved Fetishes
Indian fetishes are hand-carved objects, which represent the spirits of animals or the forces of nature. From the earliest times in North America, the Indians have used fetishes in an effort to master the arbitrary and unpredictable forces beyond their control. Fetishes are considered powerful and may be used in many different ways. They can be used for good luck, the hunt, initiation into a society, the diagnosis and curing of illness, fertility purposes, and/or for personal pertection. It is believed that the carved animal fetish is the host of the spiritual force and, if treated properly, will help their owners to overcome the problems facing them.
Fetishes are often seen with a bundle of coral, turquoise, or an arrowhead tied to the back or side. These are offerings made to the fetish for favors already received or hoped for in the future.
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