Nacirema

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Nacirema culture And Comparison to Modern Americans

The debates around the problematic of cultural differences have led to the revelation of the tradition of Nacirema culture research. It is observed the tremendous diversity of people's behavior in similar situations; even the most exotic traditions are incapable of confusing him. Even if all the logical possibilities of a certain behavior are not yet available in any place known around the world; The anthropologist suspects that this possibility may be present in an undefined tribe.

According to the radical belief that determines the entire system, the human body is ugly and inherently a weakness and disease. The only hope of a person imprisoned in such a body is to eliminate these traits by means of rituals and ceremonies. Each household has one or more temples dedicated to this purpose. There are more sanctuaries in the homes of the more able individuals and the prosperity and abundance of a house are explained with reference to the rite points that it has. Most of the houses are built with acacia rod and plaster; The temple of the more affluent houses is built with stone walls. Relatively less affluent families attempt to mimic the rich by covering the walls of the temple rooms with pottery plates

Every family has sanctuary with associated rituals to performed in a personal and confidential manner, not in the form of family ceremonies. Information about the ritual begins to be shared with children only when they are old enough to become aware of these mysteries. However, since I was able to develop a friendly relationship with the locals, I had the chance to study these temples and tell them about the rituals.

The pivotal fact of the temple is a kind of box or box placed inside the wall. In this chest there are many talisman and magical tonics which the locals believe cannot survive without them. These preparations are secured by a group of experts. The most respected of these experts are the healers who should be paid with precious gifts in return for their help. However, healers do not offer the necessary healing medicines for their customers; they agree what content is necessary and write this recipe in ancient and secret language. This recipe can only be understood by those who prepare the necessary talismans for healers and other gifts.

Comparison of modern-day Americans and the Nacirema (similarities/ differences)

Nacirema is nothing but "American". The example is intended to give the readers the salutary experience that the views of a people about themselves have little in common with the description an outsider would give of them, and that simple truths about a people as a whole are a rather dubious affair.

Nacirema culture is categorized by an extremely developed market economy grew in a rich, natural habitat. While most of the people's time was dedicated to economic rendezvous, the return of these efforts and much of the day is used for rituals. The focal point of these rituals is the appearance and health of the human body, which is the dominant area of interest in the community's belief system. While such an interest is certainly not unusual; the ritual manifestations of it and the underlying philosophy are unique. Native Americans revolted against their neglect, then the gay ones, and so instead of celebrating the all-American unity, we see an ever-expanding sculpture park coming forward that belies the original intent.

Modern day American are a largely mythical people, in which the dreams of the modern world are crystallized, allowing this world to articulate its central social problems as well as basking in escapist and romantic fantasies.

The Nacirema are rather prudish towards their own bodies, they like to undress and humiliate their sick, and there is even a priesthood caste of their own, whose duty it is to harass and harass the frail and suffering. Another group of people, surprisingly, make a living by traveling from place to place and displaying their healthy bodies. Whereas modern Americans like to wear modern dresses and they don’t have any priesthood.

Overall impression

Nacirema are extremely strange people who are completely irrational in their beliefs and engage in amazing magical practices. Their lives revolve around small water temples set up in their homes, and shrines hung in them, holding primeval remedies for cleansing and healing rituals whose effectiveness the Nacirema is firmly convinced, even though all the facts point to their complete uselessness.