An alternate spelling of fetish; an object worshipped for magical powers, or an object of obsessive attention or desire.
From French fétiche, derived from Portuguese feitiço (spell, sorcery), which comes from Latin facticius (artificial, made). The spelling 'fetich' reflects an older English convention before 'fetish' became standard.
The word 'fetich' reveals colonial history—Portuguese traders encountered African spiritual practices and borrowed the word feitiço to describe objects they saw worshipped. The word then traveled through European languages, but often carried stereotyping and prejudice alongside its meaning.
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