Summary Of Body Ritual Among The Nacirema

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Aisha Reed Professor Navarette Sociology 10, 11 February 2013 Nacirema is American It is very difficult to think outside the box and let go of one’s cultural norms. It is very easy to point the finger in disgust and fall victim of ethnocentrism when it comes to an unfamiliar culture. The article Body Ritual among the Nacirema, by Horace Miner, brings to light a group of North American people, named Nacirema, that culture includes the obsession over rituals that are done to the human body. These rituals might seem different but try and take a culturally relative perspective and ask yourself, “Why?” Nacirema’s culture is highly developed and they are extremely committed to reaching economic goals. A substantial amount of money and time are spent on ritual deeds that are suppose to improve the appearance and health of the body. Men lacerate and scrape their face (shave) and women bake their heads in an oven (tanning). Every home has at least one shrine (bathroom), with a chest (medicine cabinet) built into the wall. In this chest there are many healing potions…show more content…
Miner represents the American culture as not being different from other cultures . The difference only comes about in the perspective of the individual when he/she looks at a specific culture. One may easily misunderstand a society if he/she does not remember that the culture that he/she is studying is perfectly normal to those who practice it. In Body Ritual among the Nacirema, Miner analyses how the American culture is foolish. He describes how ridiculous activities go on in the American way of life. This was a fantastic way to open the eyes of a lot of people that are quick to judge another culture based on information they do not understand. Miner did a brilliant job of showing people how to be cultural relativist and just ask the question,
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