Native American Zuni Handbuilt Fetish Pot

Description

Native American Zuni Handbuilt Fetish Pot by Marvelita Phillips

The Zuni Fetish Pot is a spiritual object for the Zuni people. This pot has four bears on its exterior and one bear inside the pot, surrounded by corn meal. Fetishes are generally animals and occasionally supernatural spirits each of which helps the Zuni people. The bear, most frequent fetish to appear on pots, has the characteristics of strength, courage and introspection. This fetish pot has a hole in the side which serves two purposes. First, should the fetish eat all the food left inside the pot, it can put its head through the hole and will find more food on the altar (on which the pot sits). The Zuni people believe that as long as their fetishes have food, the people will have food. The second purpose is more spiritual. If a person is in a difficult situation, he or she can offer a prayer to the bear asking for additional strength. If the fetish believes the person is sincere, its spirit leaves the pot through the hole and enters the individual's spirit through his or her mouth. Once the fetish has provided the needed strength, its spirit leaves the individual the same way it entered and returns to its home in the pot. This type of pot is often given as a gift in the hope that the recipient will never go hungry.