Nacirema: Horace Miner's Description and Their Odd Rituals
Please read the article and then answer one of the following questions. You can pick which ever one you would like.
1.Who are the Nacirema, really? (If you still haven't figured it out, try spelling "Nacirema" backwards!) Is Miner's description of this particular society an adequate one?
2.What are some odd rituals of the Nacirema? Do you suppose the Nacirema still practice all these rituals? (There might be other rituals in Nacirema culture that Miner didn’t notice, too.)
What does “magic” mean in this context? How do we tell the difference between “magic” and other ways of knowing or doing?
3.Why do you suppose Miner infers that the Nacirema believe the human body to be ugly and prone to disease? What evidence is there for this conclusion?
Given their ambivalence about it, does it strike you as odd that the Nacirema seem to be so obsessed with the body
4.Who are some of the magical practitioners who aid the Nacirema in the performance of their body rituals?
5. So, what is Miner telling us about ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, and related concepts?
Nacirema Discussion
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September 12, 2023
Horace Miner's intriguing essay, "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema," presents a deep dive into the intricacies of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. In his work, Miner transforms everyday American rituals into mysterious and exotic customs, encouraging readers to view their cultural practices through an anthropological lens.
One of the most vivid concepts in the essay is the "shrine" in each Nacirema household. While on its face a baffling ritual location, this shrine is a bathroom where purification rites occur daily. The mention of the "charm box" filled with magical potions and charms (essentially medicine cabinets with prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies) underlines the obscurity with which familiar objects can be portrayed. Such descriptors prompt readers to see the strangeness in their daily practices, fostering a