Archive for July, 2011
Understanding Native American Fetish Animals
Certain tribes are very closely associated with Native American fetish animals. The Hopi, Zuni, Inuit, and Navajo are particularly known for their fetish animals. They consider that these fetish animals are connected with the six sacred directions, which include the four points of the compass as well as the upper and lower worlds. Indian fetish animals are also considered to have certain traits. Each animal’s species is endowed with certain characteristics. These characteristics are thought to give protection to an individual or tribe.
Most Indian tribes hold fetish animals as a sacred symbol. These fetish animals hold a significant place in Indian culture and are considered to be good luck charms. The closeness felt by the Native American to the natural world, manifests itself in these fetishes. The different animals in our world were respected and admired by the American Indians. Fetish art may have abounded due to the animal’s ability to survive the harsh environment of the southwest desert. A fetish animal was carried in a medicine bag, very often.
Raising the American Flag
One of the world’s most iconic symbols is the American flag. In the United States of America, it is mostly seen in both commercial and residential dwellings. It is also a favorite theme for clothes, accessories, car decals and the like. All over the word, in public discourse, it is also used in reference to the US of A and its government, laws, and ideologies.
The flag of America consists of three main colors–that of red, white and blue. The alternating red and white colors go to the 13 horizontal stripes which represent the colonies of America that fought against the British monarchy and in turn became the Union’s primary states. In the flag’s canton is a blue rectangle which features 50 five-pointed stars that symbolize the 50 states of America. Because of its design, the American flag has earned the nickname of Stars and Stripes, and Star-Spangled Banner, among others.
The American Identity
To define identity, we should answer the question of “who are we?” Do we define it by referring to our religion? Nationality? Ethnicity? Race? Gender, or etc. However, what has gained significance in terms of identity in the modern era “nation-state?” (course study, Dr. Hosseini)
Due to the ideological questions brought by modernism and post-modernism and the new circumstances of living regarding mass migration and expansion of communications, “identity” has turned to one of the most challanging issues of the day. However, the problem is much deeper for America. As America is basically shaped through migrations and immigrations, there’s no classic bondage to form one identity for it.