Signed; The Outlook Blogger.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Body Ritual Among The Nacirema.
People are most likely to react differently in similar situations because no two brains are a like, which means no ones brain works the exact same way; so it is not guaranteed that any two people will think to react to a similar situation the same. Naciremas believe the body is ugly, meanwhile others believe their body is their temple. Each morning family members must show respect to the charm box, in my household we get up in the morning and shower, brush our teeth, dress and go.Naciremas perform what would seem to outsiders as sadistic task to rid themselves of the evils they believe are possessing their bodies. I know as a Christian we get baptized in 'holy water' to wash ourselves free of sin, and therefore we are "reborn" and "pure" again. Horace Miner writes, "Our review of the ritual life of the Nacirema has certainly shown them to be a magic-ridden people. It is hard to understand how they have managed to exist so long under the burdens which they have imposed upon themselves. But even such exotic customs as these take on real meaning when they are viewed with the insight provided by Malinowski when he wrote (1948:70): Looking from far and above, from our high places of safety in the developed civilization, it is easy to see all the crudity and irrelevance of magic. But without its power and guidance early man could not have mastered his practical difficulties as he has done, nor could man have advanced to the higher stages of civilization." I completely agree when going into the reading I told myself I would keep an open mind and refrain from judgement but, once I got further into the reading and learned of Nacirema sadistic rituals I couldn't help but to pass judgement because of the cruel and unusual punishment that they bestow upon themselves and they continue with tradition no matter how painful or unsuccessful the rituals are. To my outside point of view their way of life is unrealistic and sadistic, but for Naciremas it's normal everyday life; maybe our way of living is wrong, unrealistic and impure, in the eyes of a Nacirema.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewhere i'm from there are 9 tribes living in the jungle of south america and their rituals and belifs differ among them. But the most unique are the caribs who are known as warlike people and their rituals are preparation for war and harvest.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your conclusion. I just thought about how some outsiders might even think that our freedom to vote was strange or the fact that woman bare their legs was strange of whatever the case may be.
ReplyDelete1.I agree with it being hard to not be judgemental about their rituals but today we should try our best accepting and understanding of someone elses belief, culture, or tradition though we may not see what they do to be normal.
ReplyDelete2.In a way their mouth rite is similar as it was pointed out to me, to us getting our mouth clean at the dentist. There are some people who feel ugly if their teeth are in bad shape. Ofcourse our dentist dont apply magical materials or supernatural substances but he fix our issues in our mouth if we have, and that builds one self esteem and confidence about their beauty.
1.I agree with it being hard to not be judgemental about their rituals but today we should try our best accepting and understanding of someone elses belief, culture, or tradition though we may not see what they do to be normal.
ReplyDelete2.In a way their mouth rite is similar as it was pointed out to me, to us getting our mouth clean at the dentist. There are some people who feel ugly if their teeth are in bad shape. Ofcourse our dentist dont apply magical materials or supernatural substances but he fix our issues in our mouth if we have, and that builds one self esteem and confidence about their beauty