DAN STYLE FETISHES, Liberia and Ivory Coast

 

DAN STYLE
Fetish 1
16.5" high
$400

Photographs © Tim Hamill

DAN STYLE FETISHES, Liberia and Ivory Coast

A fetish is a statue or object with magical power, like an amulet, talisman or good luck charm. In traditional, tribal Africa, especially in Zaire, these beliefs are manifested in some of the most expressive and magical power figures ever created. This exhibit brings together the relics of many peoples, all used for specific functions, usually to conjure away evil spirits or attempt to control one's destiny.

Common to many tribes was the belief that the fetishes acquired power through the ritualistic carving and consecration, the addition of special substances and the recurring activation of its spirit by offering sacrifices and magic words. Some fetishes have the heads or stomachs hollowed out to hold special substances; some have mirrors to reflect back evil or to blind hostile spirits; some are Janus-figures for better vigilance and protection. Among the materials added to the wood figures are horns, shells, nails, feathers, mirrors, metal, twine, paint, cloth, raffia, fur, beads and herbs; anything thought to add power or magic.

Most of these Dan fetishes have openings in the bottom or front that is plugged or covered with fabric.

These Dan fetishes show no evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

 

GO TO DAN FETISHES ARCHIVES PAGE

GO TO DAN ART PAGE

GO TO DAN FIGURES PAGE

GO TO FETISH! EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN FETISHES PAGE

GO TO FETISHES (VARIOUS TRIBES) PAGE

GO TO ARTIFACTS PAGE

GO TO DAN ART PAGE

GO TO MASKS OF THE DAN EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN FIGURES PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

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