OTHER FETICHES. 



FETICHES OF NAVAJO ORIGIN. 

 THE PONY. 



Among other specimens in the collection to which these notes relate 

 are several pieces representing the horse and domesticated sheep, of 

 which Plate IX, Figs. 3 and 4, are the best examples. Both are of Na- 

 vajo importation, by which tribe they are much prized and used. The 

 original of Fig. 3 represents a saddled pony, and has been carefully 

 carved from a small block of compact white limestone veined like Italian 

 marble. This kind of fetich, according to the Zuiiis, is manufactured 

 at will by privileged niembers of the Navajo nation, and carried about 

 during hunting and war excursions in "medicine bags," to insure the 

 strength, safety, and endurance of the animals they represent. 



THE SHEEP. 



Plate IX, Fig. 4, represents a superb large sheep fetich of purplish- 

 pink fluorspar, the eyes being inlaid with small turkoises. Such ai'e 

 either carried about by the shepherds or kept in their huts, and, together 

 with certain ceremonials, are supposed not only to secure fecundity of 

 the flocks, but also to guard them against disease, the animals of prey, 

 or death by accident. 



AMULETS AND CHARMS. 



In addition to the animal fetiches heretofore described, many others 

 are found among the Zuiiis as implements of their worshij), and as amu- 

 lets or charms for a variety of purposes. The painted and plumed 

 prayer-sticks are of this character. 



The amulets proper may be roughly divided into three classes: 



1. Concretions and other strange rock formations, which, on account 

 of their forms, are thought to have been portions of the gods, of their 

 weapons, implements, and ornaments, their t^-ap-ku-na-we (the where- 

 withals of Being). 



2. The sacred relics of the gods, which are supposed to have been 

 given to man directly by their possessors, in the " days of the new," 

 and include the " Gifts of the Gods" (y6I-le-te-li-we). 



3. The magic "medicines" which are used as protective, curative, and 

 productive agencies, and are known as the 6 tawe and d-kwa-we (the 

 "contained" and the "medicines"). 



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