Alan Monroe Lakota Large Bison Fetish Carving FT425

Buffalo or Bison?

The majestic animals that roamed the US plains by the millions were American bison or Plains bison. There are also similar bison that free range in Poland and other European countries. Bison have large humps at their shoulders, massive heads, beards and thick winter coats that they shed in the spring.

Bison are often erroneously called buffalo. In 1913 the Buffalo nickel (AKA Indian Head nickel) was struck. The coin's designer, James Earle Fraser, said he wanted to use a symbol of the American west and felt that "a North American Indian and a buffalo fitted into the picture perfectly." Technically, it should be called the bison nickel.

Buffalo live in South Asia (Water Buffalo) or Africa (Cape Buffalo). Buffalo have smooth, thin hair coats, no hump, no beard and have smaller heads but larger horns than a bison.

Fetishes and Carvings
Types of Fetishes

Fetish Necklace

The use of small carved animals on Native American necklaces is a modern invention for the market. It is not traditional to use a fetish, per se, on a necklace or as jewelry.

Table Fetish

Table fetishes stand on a flat surface for viewing. They come in various scales with the 2-inch scale being the size most commonly sold today.

Pocket Fetish

A fetish can be carried when the power of the animal is desired to help the person with a routine task or an obstacle or problem. Pocket fetishes might help with safe travel, a successful venture or "hunt", a good yield or "crop".

Medicine Bag Fetish

A fetish can be transported in a medicine bag but it is said that only the mole is content in the darkness for long periods of time.

"White Buffalo"HK Item #FT425 Alan Monroe, Lakota

Buffalo or Bison?

Fetishes and CarvingsTypes of Fetishes

Fetish Necklace

Table Fetish

Pocket Fetish

Medicine Bag Fetish

"White Buffalo"
HK Item #FT425
Alan Monroe, Lakota

Fetishes and Carvings
Types of Fetishes