Body Ritual Among The Nacirema

Drinking magical potions seems disparate, right? As a member of a society, more specifically a culture, the underlying intention is to foster a bond of kinship; you’re a member because you share experiences, ideas, and beliefs. That membership is defined by its own set of peculiarities and habits. The everyday rituals of the Nacirema reflect the attitudes and behaviors fostered by their culture, their shared expression of belonging. Their entire lives are dependent on their rituals, at least their entire way of life. They are obliged to their social constructs. So it stands to reason that any outsider choosing to assimilate into Nacirema culture would by nature adopt the rituals and customs of their society. If I choose to be a part of their culture, then by default, I am choosing to take part in their culture. …show more content…
The language used by Miner to illustrate aspects of these rituals is suggestive, on its own, as to their abstract endurance. “Shrine,” by definition, is expressive of a sacred space. “Temple,” invokes a permanent consecration. These cultural attributes lack the fluidity and dynamics of, say, modern pop culture. In fact, you see rituals centered around the belief in “medicine men” extended through time across many cultures, to this