In anthropology, fetishism is the veneration of an object that is believed to have supernatural power. Various kinds of fetishes are found in many societies throughout the world. Some fetishes are thought to contain spirits. Others, such as charms and talismans, are considered to be powerful and lucky without being the abodes of particular spirits. Some fetishes are small and are carried on the person as amulets. Good luck pieces, like the rabbit's foot, are fetishes in some societies. West Africa is famed for fetishism associated with the highly developed art of wood carving.
In psychology, fetishism is an abnormal attachment to any object. Young children who cannot be separated
from their blankets and adults who are enamored of items of clothing usually worn by the opposite sex are said to be fetishists.
