Fetish Jars

Beyond Tradition

Fetish Jars

According to anthropologist Ruth Kirk, fetish jars have been used in this century to house the ceremonially-used fetishes in kivas. There were apparently different types of fetish jars but they were all originally pots used for other purposes (water, storage, serving) which were converted to hold fetishes.
The conversion entailed attaching fetishes to the outside of the pots and drilling a "feeding" hole in the side. Often the pots were coated with substances to darken and enhance them and bits of turquoise and shell could be seen. (For more, see Zuni Fetishism by Ruth Kirk).

Contemporary Zuni fetish jars are made by two Zuni women: Marvelita Phillips and Lena Boone (Edna Leki's daughter). Marvelita and Lena come from fetish carving families and Edna Leki and her father, Teddy Weahkee, were also a famous fetish jar makers.

Edna & Lena's jars have a more authentic feel about them and they follow Edna's father's teaching in the preparation of the jars. Marvelita tends to use smaller unfired pots which she coats with crushed turquoise or coral pieces or bits of other colorful materials. Zuni fetish jars do not contain the "stir sticks" often seen in Navajo pots but may contain one or more small fetishes. According to tradition, the fetishes live in the jars and are "fed" cornmeal by their owners or caretakers.

Please check out the bibliography of Zuni literature.

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