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Horace Miner's Article 'Body Ritual Among The Nacirema'

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Summary of Miner's Article on Nacirema In Horace Miner’s article "Body Ritual among the Nacirema," he describes the peculiar customs of a North American group known as the Nacirema. This group exhibits unique behaviors centered around the human body, which they believe is inherently ugly and prone to disease. They employ various rituals and ceremonies to maintain health and beauty, many of which seem strange to outsiders. Peculiar and unusual customs The Nacirema have a highly developed market economy, but a significant portion of their time is devoted to ritual activities focusing on the body. Each household has shrines dedicated to these rituals. The wealthier members have more elaborate shrines, often decorated with pottery plaques. Within these shrines, a charm box is kept, filled with magical potions and charms prescribed by medicine men. The …show more content…

The holy water is obtained from the community’s Water Temple, where priests purify it through elaborate ceremonies. The Nacirema also have specialists called "holy-mouth men" who perform rituals to maintain oral health, which they believe is crucial for social relationships. These rituals involve inserting hog hairs and magical powders into the mouth, which can appear revolting to outsiders. More severe rituals are performed in a temple known as the latipso, where medicine men and vestal maidens conduct harsh treatments on the sick. Despite the discomfort and pain, the Nacirema people continue to seek these treatments, demonstrating their deep faith in the rituals. Miner’s Definition of Culture Miner defines culture through the lens of rituals and customs. He focuses on how these practices reveal the underlying beliefs and values of the Nacirema. The emphasis is on the body's appearance and health, illustrating a unique cultural ethos that sees the body as inherently flawed and in need of constant

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