The Body Ritual Among The Nacirema By Horace Miner

The idea of culture and society varies among every individual and groups of individuals that inhabit a specific location. The word culture can be defined as beliefs, languages, values, norms, and rituals shared by all members of a society. In addition, it can be material things, as well as rules and regulations that are considered the norms of that society. The definition of society goes hand and hand with culture. A society is a group of individuals and how they interact amongst each other and their shared values also known as their cultural norms. For my paper, I will be discussing the way culture and society varies among individuals. Not only does culture in a society varies among individuals, culture in a specific society does change over

Their culture is very similar to mine, however they use different words to describe everyday norms in their society and culture. Words such as “shrine” to describe a bathroom, “neophyte” to describe patients, and “rituals” to describe medical procedures. My example connects to this article because an individual who is not able to understand the culture of someone else's, would think the culture of the Nacirema is taboo, just because of “magical beliefs and practices of the Nacirema” However, it's not taboo to me because from the article, I was able to understand their culture norms and relate it to mine. While reading the article, I had to dissect certain parts and understand the terminology of the Nacirema culture. A prime example is when the author states “This witch-doctor has the power to exorcise the devils that lodge in the heads of people who have been bewitched.” After careful examination, I was able to figure out that these “witch-doctors” are psychiatrists, who listen to the problems of their patients. Furthermore, the author states “the patient simply tells the ‘listener’ all his troubles and fears…” from that quote, I was able to relate their culture to mine. I made this conclusion because I personally go to a psychiatrist's where I can tell him any and everything. He “listens” to all my problems and afterwards I feel a sense of