Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

French & Portuguese; French fétiche, from Portuguese feitiço, from feitiço [[artificial]], [[false]], from [[Latin]] facticius factitious

French & Portuguese; French fétiche, from Portuguese feitiço, from feitiço [[artificial]], [[false]], from [[Latin]] facticius factitious

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1613]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_Century 1613]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a : an object (as a small stone carving of an [[animal]]) [[believed]] to have [[magical]] [[power]] to protect or aid its owner; broadly : a [[material]] object regarded with [[superstitious]] or extravagant [[trust]] or [[reverence]]  

*1 a : an object (as a small stone carving of an [[animal]]) [[believed]] to have [[magical]] [[power]] to protect or aid its owner; broadly : a [[material]] object regarded with [[superstitious]] or extravagant [[trust]] or [[reverence]]  

Initially, the [[concept]] of fetishism was used by the Portuguese to refer to the objects used in [[religious]] [[cults]] by the West African [[natives]].

Initially, the [[concept]] of fetishism was used by the Portuguese to refer to the objects used in [[religious]] [[cults]] by the West African [[natives]].

The [[concept]] was made known in Europe by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de_Brosses Charles de Brosses] in 1757, while comparing West African [[religion]] to the [[magical]] aspects of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Ancient Egyptian religion]. Later, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_Comte Auguste Comte] used the [[concept]] to apply an [[evolution]] [[theory]] to [[religion]]. In Comte's theory of the [[evolution]] of [[religion]], he proposed that fetishism is the earliest (most [[primitive]]) [[stage]], followed by the stages of [[polytheism]] and [[monotheism]]

The [[concept]] was made known in Europe by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de_Brosses Charles de Brosses] in 1757, while comparing West African [[religion]] to the [[magical]] aspects of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egypt Ancient Egyptian religion]. Later, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_Comte Auguste Comte] used the [[concept]] to apply an [[evolution]] [[theory]] to [[religion]]. In Comte's theory of the [[evolution]] of [[religion]], he proposed that fetishism is the earliest (most [[primitive]]) [[stage]], followed by the stages of [[polytheism]] and [[monotheism]]

That said, some [[artifacts]] of [[monotheistic]] [[religions]] are fetishes according to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnography ethnography] and [[anthropology]]. For example in some [[forms]] of [[Christianity]], which is a monotheistic religion, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross Holy Cross] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread consecrated host] are examples of fetishism. However, this characterization is denied by the monotheist practitioners.

That said, some [[artifacts]] of [[monotheistic]] [[religions]] are fetishes according to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnography ethnography] and [[anthropology]]. For example in some [[forms]] of [[Christianity]], which is a monotheistic religion, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross Holy Cross] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramental_bread consecrated host] are examples of fetishism. However, this characterization is denied by the monotheist practitioners.

In the 19th-20th century, Tylor and McLennan held that the [[concept]] of fetishism allowed [[historians]] of [[religion]] to shift [[attention]] from the [[relationship]] between people and [[God]] to the relationship between people and [[material]] objects. They also held that it [[established]] [[models]] of [[causal]] explanations of [[natural]] [[events]] which they [[considered]] [[false]] as a central [[problem]] in history and sociology.

In the 19th-20th century, Tylor and McLennan held that the [[concept]] of fetishism allowed [[historians]] of [[religion]] to shift [[attention]] from the [[relationship]] between people and [[God]] to the relationship between people and [[material]] objects. They also held that it [[established]] [[models]] of [[causal]] explanations of [[natural]] [[events]] which they [[considered]] [[false]] as a central [[problem]] in history and sociology.

==Practice==

==Practice==

Theoretically, fetishism is [[present]] in all [[religions]], but its use in the [[study]] of religion is derived from studies of [[traditional]] West African religious [[beliefs]], as well as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_Vodun Voodoo], which is derived from those [[beliefs]].

Theoretically, fetishism is [[present]] in all [[religions]], but its use in the [[study]] of religion is derived from studies of [[traditional]] West African religious [[beliefs]], as well as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_Vodun Voodoo], which is derived from those [[beliefs]].

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood Blood] is often considered a particularly [[powerful]] fetish or ingredient in fetishes. In addition to blood, other objects and substances, such as bones, fur, claws, feathers, [[gemstones]] and [[crystals]], [[water]] from certain places, certain types of plants and wood are common fetishes in [[traditions]] worldwide.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood Blood] is often considered a particularly [[powerful]] fetish or ingredient in fetishes. In addition to blood, other objects and substances, such as bones, fur, claws, feathers, [[gemstones]] and [[crystals]], [[water]] from certain places, certain types of plants and wood are common fetishes in [[traditions]] worldwide.

Fetishes were commonly used in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_religion Native American religion] and [[practice]]. The bear represented the [[shaman]], the buffalo was the provider, the mountain lion was the warrior, and the wolf was the pathfinder.

Fetishes were commonly used in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_religion Native American religion] and [[practice]]. The bear represented the [[shaman]], the buffalo was the provider, the mountain lion was the warrior, and the wolf was the pathfinder.

==Theories of fetishism in the West==

==Theories of fetishism in the West==

* In the 19th century [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx Karl Marx] appropriated the term to describe commodity fetishism as an important component of [[capitalism]]. Nowadays, (commodity and capital) fetishism is a [[central]] [[concept]] of Marxism.

* In the 19th century [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx Karl Marx] appropriated the term to describe commodity fetishism as an important component of [[capitalism]]. Nowadays, (commodity and capital) fetishism is a [[central]] [[concept]] of Marxism.

* Later [[Sigmund Freud]] appropriated the [[concept]] to describe a form of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphilia paraphilia] where the object of [[affection]] is an inanimate object or a specific part of a [[person]]; see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_fetish sexual fetish].

* Later [[Sigmund Freud]] appropriated the [[concept]] to describe a form of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphilia paraphilia] where the object of [[affection]] is an inanimate object or a specific part of a [[person]]; see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_fetish sexual fetish].

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06052b.htm The Catholic Encyclopaedia: fetishism] - The Catholic View.

* [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06052b.htm The Catholic Encyclopaedia: fetishism] - The Catholic View.

* Andrew Lang, [http://www.psychanalyse-paris.com/852-Fetishism-and-Spiritualism.html Fetishism and Spiritualism, The Making of Religion], (Chapter VIII), Longmans, Green, and C°, London, New York and Bombay, 1900, pp. 147–159.

* Andrew Lang, [https://www.psychanalyse-paris.com/852-Fetishism-and-Spiritualism.html Fetishism and Spiritualism, The Making of Religion], (Chapter VIII), Longmans, Green, and C°, London, New York and Bombay, 1900, pp. 147–159.

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]