Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

Jordan Reagan[pic 1]

Dawn Neill

Anthropology 201

2/22/19

Body Ritual among the Nacirema

        In many cultures around the world, body rituals are practiced as a way to enhance the beauty of an individual.  In order to be socially accepted, one may have to participate in a series of scarifications, body mutilations, paintings, or a number of piercings (Neill, 2017). The Nacirema culture greatly values worshipping the body.  In order to do so, they partake in a series of shrines and exotic rituals all dedicated to respecting the body, despite the fact that most of their traditions are violent and brutal and almost seem to damage the body rather than respect it.  Regardless, anthropologists must do fieldwork with an open mind and set aside all judgments to refrain from comparing to western customs and values.

        Within this culture, the Nacirema people believe in magical doctors known as “medicine men” (Miner). The medicine men practice mainly on the mouth because it is believed that the mouth is the key to relationships and morals. Without these rituals, Nacirema people claim that their teeth will decay, fall out, and bleed. According to researchers, the rituals practiced would be considered torturous and inhumane to the inexperienced person. Nacirema men and women go to medicine men, also known as the “holy-mouth-men”, about twice a year to drill holes into decaying teeth. “Magical herbs” are stuffed into the holes to allow for more friends and better morals. Despite the pain of this very sacred ritual, the Nacirema continue to visit the medicine men as their teeth continue to decay.

        In comparison, cultures such as the Maasai tribe practice painful, yet highly valued traditions as well. Emuratta is the sacred ceremony of women circumcision that each girl in the tribe must partake in shortly after she reaches puberty (Maasai Video). Similar to the ritual of drilling unnecessary holes into the mouth within the Nacirema tribe, the Maasai tribe considers women circumcision as a rite of passage. Despite the pain and possible infection they may undergo, women are often enthusiastic and willing to partake in this tradition as a way to advance from a girl to a woman.[pic 2]

Bibliography[pic 3]

Neill, DB. 2017. Notes. Reading.

Miner, H (compiler).  2012.  Pearson Custom Anthropology:  Anthropology 201, Cultural Anthropology, California Polytechnic State University.  Boston, MA: Pearson.  

Wallace, M., & Low, S. (Producers). (1980). Maasai Women [Video file].

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