Enslaved to Ancient Rituals: The Shocking Culture of the Nacirema

Abstract

Body Ritual among the Nacirema Reading the Nacirema culture article is interesting and shocking at the same time; thus, yes, one experiences culture shock while reading about Naciremas. Unfortunately, the article spells a culture enslaved to ancient beliefs that expose them to agony, torture, and the dangers of losing their lives. The strong faith in their disturbing and humiliating culture clearly defines the ruthless strings that many people cling to regardless of the pains associated therein. According to Miner (1956), the Nacirema community spends most of their time in ritual activity, which involves human body activity. To this effect, most of these people spend most of their time experiencing pains and humiliations associated with short temple rituals and mouth rituals. Nacirema believes that the human body is ugly and only cleansed through such harsh rituals is a clear indication of the slavery that the cultural belief has exposed to this community group. The “Body ritual among the Nacirema” is a great piece of reading that expose the behind curtain events that this group of people treasure so much regardless of their adverse implications. One can argue that the Nacirema serves as an example of a culture that defines the extremes to which human behavior can go. The community can e described as enslaved since though tortured by the effects of the body rituals, they find it hard to ignore or resist the rituals for the purpose of expressing respect for their ancient believers. It is a piece that describes the extent of faith that this community has over the ill culture which remains well expressed by the existence of shrines in each household where their rituals are performed from time to time. Based on this article, it is clear that people embrace cultures regardless of their pains and remain enslaved to such cultures for generations. People view such a culture from the positive and negative points of view. Positive in the sense that the Nacirema represent a community that remains devoted and loyal to their culture, and negative in the sense that the Nacirema and any other group with such a culture represent cowards who cannot fight for their basic/human right to serves the demands of ancient believers. Based on the article "Body ritual among the Nacirema," people may assume that adherence to some cultures expresses conformity and harmony amongst the believers. However, paying close attention to the article, one can confirm that the community expressed mixed reactions towards their own culture and remains subject to it for fear of rejection from the community. The agony as expressed while the believer undergoes the body rituals and the resistance to take their sick children to undertake the temple rituals is a clear indication that the culture is ill and the community is ready to withdraw from it if given a chance. People also assume that some small cultures, like Naciremas, have no abnormal beliefs that can shake the world if exposed. Nacirema has a culture full of absurd acts which call for rectification for a better tomorrow. Some cultures have marriage rituals that are very odd to accommodate....