AFRICAN FETISHES

Most of these objects were originally described as if authentic.  Most were not. Those objects that have been vetted as authentic by outside experts (Christophe Rolley, Edith Mbella, Daniel Mato, Rand Ningali, Phil Warish and Ethan Rider) are labelled as such. Objects made for the market are labelled accordingly, and objects in our archives or on pages no longer on our website should be assumed to be inauthentic if not otherwise labelled.

YAKA Fetish Figures

EWE Fetish Figures 1

FETISHES Various Tribes

FON Bocchio Posts 1

BATEKE Fetish Figures 1

BATEKE Fetish Figures 2

BAKONGO Power Figures 3

YAKA Fetish Figures 2

KISSI Fetish Objects

FON Fetish Figures 1

YAKA Posts Catalog

TOMA Fetish Objects

FETISHES Various Tribes

FETISHES Various Tribes

SONGYE Figures Catalog

FON Fetish Figures 1

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The fetishes below have been sold and are left here for reference and educational purposes.

GAN Fetish Figures ALL SOLD

GAN Fetish Figures ALL SOLD

BAULE Mbra Monkeys ALL SOLD

BAKONGO Animal Fetishes ALL SOLD

BAMANA Boli 2 ALL SOLD

EWE Fetishes SOLD

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

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.

If you are looking for a particular tribe or object please check our Indexes by Tribe, by Object
or by Material.