Zuni Fetish Necklaces
copyright (c) 2003 by Celeste Gryniewicz

A fetish is an object or charm – usually in the shape of an animal – that is believed to have special or magical powers.

The children each made an animal pendant of their favorite animal … or one whose “traits” they wished to emulate.  Patience, for example, is symbolized by the Turtle; and one child wanted to made a Turtle pendant though, as she explained, she wasn’t very patient.

“That’s okay,” I told her; “you can pick an animal you want to be like … .”

Bear is strong.

Raven is not afraid of the dark.

The dried clay pendants (which air dry, and harden overnight) were, then, strung on cording and beads and feathers were attached.

The kids also had opportunity to make clay coil pots by rolling long “snakes” of clay and winding them tightly into a widening spiral … .

Gene introduced the project with a Zuni folktale called The Song.  It is the story of Black Beetle Old Man … who wants, simply, to gather a wagonload of branches and woods for his cooking fires.  On his journey down, then up the mountain, he learns the “song” his full wagon “sings” …  and shares that song with Coyote, and Bear, and Skunk … and, eventually, with Black Beetle Old Woman.

He also told a Hopi tale about why Coyote howls … .  You see, there was this time that Coyote danced with a Star --

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Happy Feet