Body Rituals Among The Nacrima By Horace Miner

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Reaction Paper One
In the paper “Body Rituals Among the Nacrima,” written by Horace Miner, we learn of the unique cultural practices of the Nacrima – a North American group. The group has complicated social institutions, hierarchies and cultural practices much like other societies in the world but the practices of this particular group are unique. However, once the reader critically analyzes the passage, they realize that Miner is actually describing the American culture and he does so from the lens of an outsider and demonstrates how strange societies are to an outsider looking in.
When I initially read the passage, I was between shock and curiosity. I was shocked by the odd rituals of the Nacrima, why would the medicine men not provide the medicine themselves? Why do they have shrine rooms filled with potions and powders that they use on a daily basis? The society seemed excessive with its practices and followed a strict social hierarchy with each member having their own role – the medicine man and the listener had distinct roles. As soon as I got over the initial shock of “why...

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