Nacerima Reaction paper

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Anthropologists study the behavior of various cultures and societies and try to understand why they believe and practice certain rituals. In the article Body Ritual Among The Nacirema, by Horace Miner and published by The American Anthropologist, the author describes extreme examples of ritual activity that focus on the human body. The Nacirema believe that the body is ugly, diseased, debilitated and in need of help from their local medicine men, "holy-mouth-men", and "listener" witchdoctor. Even though some of the practices are barbaric, I can relate some of the rituals to our own modern society. Economics is a large part of the ritual process.

As a highly economic society, the Nacirema rely on gifts to pay for the services needed in their rituals. The household shrine can be simple or elaborate depending on the wealth of the family. It is not uncommon for wealthy homes to have multiple ritual centers. All ceremonies are private and secret. Each time a family member sees a medicine man and receives an order for a charm or potion, a gift must be paid. The charms accumulate in the families shrine box and are never discarded for fear they will no longer be protected. I see that the people of this culture work hard to earn their money and a substantial portion of it will be constantly paid to the medicine men. The concern with their body becomes an obsession and constant need for abuse. Their greatest horror comes from their mouth and its "supernatural influence on all social relationships".

It seems that the Nacirema have related the condition of their mouth to diseases of the teeth, gums, jaws, and social relations of friends and lovers. Oral and moral characteristics relate to both children and adults. I believe the private m...

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...g confession. Devils in a modern sense might be ones' psychosis or anxiety. Consequently, this part of the Nacirema body obsession seems less ritualistic.

In conclusion, the practices of the Nacirema seem barbaric and crude. In their self inflicted pain and torture by others, they continually seek to ritualize every body function.
The article does not mention if they are ever happy. As I read through the article for the third time I began to connect certain rituals of the Nacirema to what our local society might practice as well. It was interesting to see the two methods that might reach a common goal. For example, the hogs hair with magical powders and brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste. If Nacirema rituals can heal and make people well, then the economics and effort is worth their discomfort. If it does not help, then it is just sadistic and degrading.

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