A “fetish”— religious objects for worship? Irrational religious practices.
Facticius— made by art, artificial?
A fetish as charm or sorcery… 15-16th century Portuguese to analyze objects worshipped by indigenous people in West Africa?
Irrational magical or spiritual powers?
Tell More about fetish idea evolution in the west and America
The evolution of the concept of “fetish” in Western and American culture is a complex journey that intertwines with religion, colonialism, psychology, and sexuality.
- Early Religious and Anthropological Use: In Western culture, the concept of a fetish originally had strong religious and anthropological connotations. It was used to describe objects believed to possess supernatural powers or that were worshipped, especially in the context of African and indigenous religions. European explorers and colonizers often used the term to describe what they considered irrational religious practices they encountered in other cultures.
- Enlightenment and Colonial Views: During the Enlightenment, the idea of the fetish was often employed to draw a line between the ‘rational’ religious practices of Europe and the ‘irrational’ practices of colonized peoples. This was part of a broader narrative used to justify colonialism and the mission to ‘civilize’ other cultures.
- Freud and Psychoanalysis: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Sigmund Freud and other psychoanalysts brought the term into the realm of psychology. Freud used “fetish” to describe a form of sexual fixation where pleasure is derived overwhelmingly from a specific object or non-genital body part. This interpretation brought the concept into discussions of human sexuality and its complexities.
- Post-Freudian and Cultural Studies: After Freud, the concept of fetishism expanded in psychoanalytic theory to include a variety of psychological phenomena. It also entered the lexicon of cultural studies, where it was used to explore the commodification of desire in capitalist societies, as seen in works by Karl Marx and later theorists.
- Modern American Context: In contemporary America, the term “fetish” is most commonly associated with sexual fetishism. It’s a part of the discourse on sexual diversity and expression, shedding much of its earlier pejorative and pathologizing connotations. The concept is discussed openly as a part of human sexuality, with an emphasis on understanding and acceptance.
- Internet and Subculture Influence: The rise of the internet and various subcultures has led to a more diverse and nuanced understanding of fetishism. Online communities provide spaces for people to explore and express their fetishes in a more accepting environment.
Throughout this evolution, the concept of the fetish has been a mirror reflecting broader cultural, psychological, and ethical attitudes in Western and American societies. It’s a testament to how deeply intertwined our language and concepts are with our social and historical contexts.
The etymology of “fetish” is quite intriguing, as it intertwines with cultural, religious, and psychological contexts.
- Origin in Portuguese and Latin: The word “fetish” originated from the Portuguese word “feitiço,” which means “charm” or “sorcery.” This, in turn, was derived from the Latin word “facticius,” meaning “artificial” or “made by art.” The Portuguese term was used during the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly in the context of objects worshipped by indigenous people in West Africa that the Portuguese considered to be charms or sorcery.
- Adoption into English: In the early 17th century, the term entered the English language, retaining the sense of an object believed to have magical or spiritual powers. It was primarily used in discussions of anthropology and religion to describe objects of worship that were seen as irrational or superstitious, especially by non-European cultures.
- Shift to Psychological Context: In the 19th century, particularly through the works of psychologists and theorists like Sigmund Freud, the term “fetish” evolved to describe a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc. This psychological interpretation added a new dimension to the word, making it a term of study in the fields of psychology and sexuality.
The journey of the word “fetish” from its origins to its modern meanings reflects a rich tapestry of cultural interactions and the evolving understanding of human psychology and sexuality.