Fetish is an object belived to have supernatural powers or in particular, man made object, that has power over others. Essentially., fetishism is the attribution inherent value or powers to an object .
Initially, this concept was used by the Portuguese to refer to the objects used in religious cults by the Occidental African natives. The concept was made known in Europe by Panel Brasses to 1752. While comparing West African religion to the magical aspects of Ancient Egyptian religion. Later, 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. In the end, some artifacts certain monotheist religions, (Holy Cross, Consecrated Hosts, etc) use; for their rites are other incarnations of fetishism. However, monotheist practitioners deny this vision.
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.
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 Voodoo, which is derived from those beliefs. Blood is often considered a particularly powerful fetish or ingredient in fetishes. In addition to blood, other objects and substances, such as bones, fur, Jaws, feathers, water from certain places, certain types of plants and wood are common fetishes in the traditions of cultures worldwide