About Fetishes American Indians have used fetishes throughout recorded history; particularly the Indians of the Southwest. A fetish is an object that is believed to have magical powers Fetishes can be of any form or material. Regardless of the form or material, however, a fetish has one paramount purpose: to assist man against any real or potential problems. The problems can be those of the mind, body or the universe. An individual, family, clan, kiva society or entire tribe can own a fetish, Regardless of the ownership, the care of a fetish is always the responsibility of an individual. Special care must be taken to see that the fetish is properly feed, admired and cared for. Fetishes are believed to feed on cornmeal while they are kept in a special pot or pouch. Ground turquoise is often mixed with this cornmeal. A fetish is made and “decorated” with turquoise, arrowheads, coral and stone as a means of adornment. The better the treatment a fetish receives, the better performance it it likely to provide. Most fetishes depict animals, usually animals of prey. They are acknowledged as the most powerful providers in life, so they are likewise accepted as having the greatest fetish powers. Generally admired for their strong hearts, it is widely believed that these animals are dominant and therefore, survivors. They are the hunters rather than the hunted. The Zuni Indians of New Mexico believe strongly in six cardinal fetishes. Each is symbolic of a direction and has a specific color, which is synonymous with direction. The guardian fetish of the North is the Mountain Lion (yellow). The South is the Badger (red), the West is the Bear (blue), and the East is the Wolf (white). Additionally the Mole is the guardian of the Nadir, or inner earth (black) and the Eagle is the guardian of Zepath (all colored bird forms). The power and strength of a fetish is obtained by placing the nostrils of the fetish to one’s mouth and taking deep breaths.