Zuni Corn Maiden (Malachite)

Prized for their beauty and spiritual renewal, fetishes have long been an important part of Native American Culture. When a Fetish maker prays over his created work, a mystical power is believed to become released, assisting a person in finding a solution to their present problems. All Southwestern tribes make and use fetishes, however, the Zuni people have developed a reputation for being skillful carvers. Among the Zuni, fetishes offer good luck, protection, and hunting guidance from the inner spirit of each carved animal.