Nacirema Summary

Based on the article, Nacirema, by Horrace Miner, I think that the Nacirema are very gullible and rely on the assistance of “higher powers” to feel better about themselves. The article describes them as people that are masochistic and sadistic because they go through painful rituals that may put them at risk, just because its is a part of their cultural beliefs. They are very afraid to do anything that is outside of the rituals. For example, the article stated that all Nacirema have to interact with their shrine every day, so that they feel protected. They also have very negative ideas of their bodies. The Nacirema believe the body is ugly and prone to disease. In result of this, they rely on the medicine men and the holy-mouth-men to help …show more content…
It would be difficult for me to accept the culture, but also, I have been taught to respect every person for who they are and their beliefs. As I was reading the article I questioned why the Nacirema would ever stay at the Latipso, knowing that they would most likely not survive! It’s difficult to understand a culture that has all their trust in just a few people to cure them. I think that the Nacirema do all of these rituals because they feel like there is something wrong with the way they look or think. A lot of the rituals are based on the body and body image. There is a lot of secrecy in terms of body and sexuality as well. As a result, they are looking for ways of alleviating that constant ideology that is inculcated since childhood. Although all the rituals were appalling to imagine, the rituals that are done by the medicine men and the maidens in the latipso stood out the most. I found these particularly interesting because they describe force, abuse of women’s bodies, and a lot of pain and illness, without any results of healing. I think that the shrines are the most normal. I think a lot of cultures have some sort of shrine where they worship a God or someone who will “protect”