Questions and Answers
Who are the Nacirema?
A North American group living in the territory between the Canadian Creek, the Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico, and the Carib and Arawak of the Antilles.
What is a key characteristic of the Nacirema economy?
How do the Nacirema perceive the human body?
They view it as ugly, with a natural tendency towards debility and disease.
All Nacirema households have multiple shrines.
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The rituals inside the shrine are normally discussed with ______.
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What is the shrine box used for?
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What do medicine men do in Nacirema culture?
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What ritual is performed beneath the charm box?
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What is the role of holy mouth men?
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Rituals performed by women are conducted daily.
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What does the listener do in Nacirema culture?
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How is the word 'nacirema' significant?
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What was the author's purpose in writing about the Nacirema?
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Study Notes
The Nacirema
- The Nacirema are a North American group located between Canadian tribes and the Caribbean islands.
- The name "Nacirema" is "American" spelled backwards, prompting an exploration of American cultural practices.
Economy
- Nacirema society features a highly developed market economy, with significant time devoted to economic pursuits.
- Much of their economic productivity is funneled into ritual activities centered on body appearance and health.
Perception of the Body
- The Nacirema view the human body as inherently ugly, associated with debility and disease.
- They believe rituals and ceremonies are essential to ward off these negative attributes.
Shrines
- Each household contains one or more shrines dedicated to health and beauty rituals.
- Wealth and social power are indicated by the number of shrines in a home.
Rituals in Shrines
- Rituals performed at shrines are private and often kept secret, primarily taught to children during initiation, and sometimes when toilet training.
Shrine Box and Chest
- A central feature of the shrine is a box or chest where charms and magical potions are stored, overflowing with forgotten items.
- Charms are rarely discarded, contributing to clutter and uncertainty about their original purpose.
Medicine Men
- Specialized practitioners known as medicine men create formulas using secret, ancient languages, likened to indecipherable prescriptions in modern medicine.
Holy Water Ritual
- Daily rituals involve each family member bowing before the charm box and combining holy water from the font.
Holy Mouth Men
- Below the rank of medicine men are the holy-mouth men, who perform unique oral rituals.
Male Rituals
- Certain facial rituals performed exclusively by men involve scraping and cutting the skin with sharp instruments.
Female Rituals
- Women partake in rituals four times a lunar month, utilizing small ovens for a unique baking ceremony involving their heads.
Listener Role
- The "listener," a type of witch doctor, has the ability to exorcise troubling spirits by facilitating patient confessions of their fears.
Author’s Purpose
- The author deliberately uses complex vocabulary to obscure the Nacirema's true identity as Americans.
- By portraying commonplace American behaviors in a mystical light, the aim is to challenge perceptions of foreign cultures as strange, highlighting the need for sociological imagination.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Horace Miner's 'Body Rituals Among the Nacirema'. This quiz covers key terms and concepts related to the Nacirema culture, their economy, and the significance of rituals in their daily lives. Perfect for students studying anthropology or cultural studies.
