For native people, a fetish (a carving that has been blessed by a medicine man) is the equivalent of a talisman, an amulet or a good luck piece which may bring good fortune to or protection for its owner. Fetishes may be carried in a pouch, displayed on a shelf or housed in a fetish pot. Zuni Indians believe the spirit of the animal remains alive in the stone, thus, the care and feeding of one’s fetish is important.
A fetish pot has these fetishes tied onto the side and also a fetish inside the pot. Traditionally the pot is covered in ground turquoise, it is the most powerful stone for the Native Americans. The pot has a small hole in the side through which the fetish that lives inside is periodically “fed” yellow and blue cornmeal and ground turquoise. It is believed that the care a fetish receives is directly proportional to the protection it will provide.
These pots are given for protection and also in the hope that the receiver will never be hungry or go "without."
This wonderful pot was handbuilt by Marvelita Phillips.
