Body Ritual among the Nacirema

‘Body Ritual among the Nacirema’ is an account of Nacirema culture that presents unusual aspects. The author described the habits and customs of this culture and their role in making a meaningful life (Miner, 1956).  In giving this account, the author uses a sociological standpoint and tries to teach us more about the role of culture and rituals in the society. From the story,  the author clearly show that  rituals in life play an important role as it allows community members  share beliefs, create social order , social values and social solidarity. Other point that the author reveals is that rituals are part of human nature. In other words, human nature, human activity an ontogenetic development are needed in creation and maintenance of a society (Miner, 1956). The author informs that this is high time to refrain from self-image, restructure our communities and value the way of life. Note that human society is maintained by forms of behaviors, and human beings must create a culture where norms, values and knowledge are shared (Miner, 1956). 

Nacirema is a culture from North America where individuals are very much dedicated in conduction rituals and ceremonies in order to live a healthy and a beautiful life. The culture has a developed economy   and people work hard to enjoy the economic benefit. However, these people like conducting ritual activities and creating tribal positions in order to succeed in life. In conducting ritual activities, the families have shrines where they perform private ceremonies (Miner, 1956).  A box with many charms is placed on the wall and medicine men are called to maintain security. People who are involved when conducting the rituals include medicine men, magical practitioners and holy-mouth men. The latter conducts the ritual of mouth to maintain social relationships and morality. A common rite that is performed by all people is mouth-rite. Individuals also seek holy-mouth man who uses tools such as awls, prods and others to apply supernatural substances (Miner, 1956). Nacirema culture has temples known as lalipso where ceremonies are carried to heal the sick.  In the temples, listener removes the devil from people who are bewitched.  Generally, Nacirema culture reveals human behaviors and how people live meaningful life through sharing believes and values.

 

In relating the story with modern world, it is important to say that   people must understand the inherent values and how rituals transform the society.  Nacirema express unusual and uncommon beliefs to show the meaning and the role of cultural values in society. In today’s society, culture play role in ours societies in helping individuals value the unusual behaviors and their role in making meaningful life. In modern society, dominant values allow American community to understand personal behaviors and socioeconomic concepts (Miner, 1956).  Today, Nacirema culture is the new American culture where people use ritual to create community identity through sharing believes and experiences. Modern communities use cross-cultural approach in maintaining vales and norms.Today, sub-cultures, social class other divisions in society fulfills different purposes. Since we are living in interconnected world, it is the high time for communities to maintain social order and create a high tolerance society where people will enjoy freedom and prosperity (Miner, 1956).

 The anthropological concepts which can apply in this article are material culture and   cultural relativism. Nacirema culture use material culture to make meaning. To define the culture Nacirema use physical objects such as temples, shrines and more to present social behaviors (Miner, 1956).  The materials create importance and meaning through revealing social facts while maintaining solidarity. The concept of cultural relativism relates with account in that the Nacirema culture rest on values and practices and cultural standards. The social organization has developed an ethical system where people understand each other. Cultural relativism had maintained a cross-cultural relationship and people have gained new possibilities which they apply in culture practice (Miner, 1956).  In social context, the Nacirema culture use culture relativism to present the meaning the culture through symbolic system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

 

Miner Horace. (1956). American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 58, No. 3 (Jun., 1956), pp. 503-507.

Wiley