Animals in the Native American Life - SantaFe.com
Elk Santa Fe New Mexico

Native American people have great respect for animals. Animals are part of their ceremonies and their lives. Often animals are depicted in their artistic creations. Is this only an artistic creation or does this art piece have greater meaning?

One can ask the artists for their interpretation or read “Pueblo Animals and Myths” by Hamilton A. Tyler to learn more about the respect and spiritual meaning of animals to Pueblo people. Then you decide.

“The pueblo is a member of the Eight Northern Pueblos, and the people are from the Tewa ethnic group of Native Americans who speak the Tewa language. The pueblo is on the Rio Grande, between Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo) to the north and San Ildefonso Pueblo to the south. Santa Clara Pueblo is famous for producing hand-crafted pottery, specifically blackware and redware with deep engravings.” This information is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Starr Tafoya of Santa Clara Pueblo carved this back turtle. She polished (burnished) and fired the piece to obtain the glossy black color. She carved designs in the shell of the turtle.

Margaret Gutierrez created this polychrome turtle. Previous generation of family members were potters who created clay animals using similar polychrome color. Notice the many insects painted on the shell of this turtle.

Members of the Gutierrez family members have created many humorous clay animals. Below are clay images of racoons. Notice their playful nature. These clay figures are also polychrome colored.

If you research animals used by American Indian artists, you will discover fetishes. Fetishes are small carvings for ceremonial use by many different cultures. “Zuni fetishes are small carvings made from various materials by the Zuni people. These carvings have traditionally served a ceremonial purpose for their creators and depict animals and icons integral to their culture.” This information is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Researching the history of Zuni fetishes from Spirit in the Stone by Mark Bahti provided information on the animals carved, the materials used and how specific fetishes were used in tradtional ceremonies. Below are some examples of fetishes, an eagle and a carved shell.

Materials used by Zuni carvers include alabaster, serpentine, Picasso marble, jet, black marble, pipestone, turquoise, antlers, and horns. This frog fetish is carved from serpentine and decorated with turquoise. The pipestone bear fetish carries a prayer bundle.

Animal fetishes are also carved by Zuni jewelers. One of the well known animal fetish carvers was Leeka Deyuse. He carved “Rubenesque” round edge animals for stringing into necklaces. His necklaces are sought after by collectors just as pottery made by Maria Martinez is sought by collectors. Kent McManis, Zuni Fetish Carvers, will provide information on fetish carvers and fetish collectibles.

American Indian artists portray animals in pottery, fetishes, weavings and basketry.

This article was posted by Jesse Williams

Please Share!

Santa Fe Summer Scene 2025: Free Concerts & Movies

Lensic 360 and the City of Santa Fe and Tourism Santa Fe are back again bringing you over 50 free movies and concerts at Santa Fe Summer Scene 2025. This annual celebration transforms the city into an outdoor entertainment destination from May through August. About Santa Fe Summer Scene Santa Fe Summer Scene has become one of the Southwest’s most-anticipated free outdoor entertainment series, attracting movie and music lovers from across New Mexico and beyond. This community celebration showcases beloved … Read More

Fiesta de Santa Fe 2025

For more than 300 years, every September, the Santa Fe Fiesta Council proudly invites people from all backgrounds to celebrate historic Santa Fe culture with events that highlight the talents of Northern New Mexico cultura! Enjoy the arts and crafts booths along with music, dancing, entertainment and food booths that line the historic Santa Fe Plaza during the Fiesta Labor Day weekend. The cry of ¡Viva la Fiesta! will ring through the streets as the 313th Annual Fiesta de Santa … Read More

Find Great Art at the Corrales Art Studio Tour
Art by Ken Duckert for the Corrales Art Studio Tour.

Returning to its original spring dates, one of the most anticipated art studio tours in New Mexico, the 25th Annual Corrales Art Studio Tour will be held, for one weekend only, May 6 & 7, 2023.  Ninety-three artists and over fifty student artists from two Corrales elementary schools will show their work at thirty-eight venues including artist homes and studios, four local galleries and select local businesses.  CAST Preview Gallery opens May 5. Corrales Art Studio Tour attendees will find … Read More

Featured Businesses