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Key characteristics of indigenous religions
Key characteristics of indigenous religions
Key characteristics of indigenous religions
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Religion Reaction Essay: “Body Ritual Among The Nacirmea”
The reaction essay is based upon Horace Miner’s article “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema,” published in Wiley-Blackwell’s, in conjunction with the American Anthropological Association, journal American Anthropologist. The essay will consist of two sections: an article summary and a reaction discussion.
Article Summary
Horace Miner wrote the article “Body Ritual among the Nacirema”, in which he described and detailed the various body rituals practiced among the Nacirema culture. Horace starts the article by explaining that anthropologists encounter all types of cultural and ritualistic extremities, but the Nacirema body rituals are among some of the most extreme observed. The Nacirema are a “North American group living in the territory between the Canadian Cree, the Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico, and the Carib and Arawak of the Antilles” (Miner, 1956). Miner also describes the Nacirema people as having rich history and a rich natural environment.
The Nacirema beliefs regarding the human body and the functions of the human body are the major focus of Miner’s article, and Miner describes the rituals associated with the beliefs. According to the article, the Nacirema people partake in daily rituals in their homes in a sacred shrine that each home is equipped with. The flashier the shrine, the wealthier a family is considered and the wealthiest families have multiple shrines within their homes. The rituals conducted in the shrine are sacred secrets, and only discussed with children approaching the age of initiation into the ritualistic society. Miner then describes the charms and potions used within the sacred rituals, provided by the medicine men of the Nacirema people. Mine...
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...indicate the people as a culture are uncomfortable in their skin.
Finally, the rituals and beliefs regarding the human mouth are extreme, in my opinion. The article sums up the mouth rituals stating, “preponderantly masochistic people have developed sadistic specialist” (Miner, 1956). In my opinion, Miner was right in stating that the Nacirema people are masochistic. The descriptions of the mouth-practices are shocking, and raise the question of why anyone would want to have such painful procedures done. From an anthropological standpoint, it’s hard to grasp the thoughts behind the procedures since pain and injury are not conducive to fostering a healthy and thriving culture. The Nacirema people and their rituals are fascinating and deserving of greater study.
Works Cited
Miner, H. (1956). Body ritual among the nacirema. American Anthropologist, 58(3), 503-507.
Further, prayer and medicine interplay to paint a classical image of the Native’s creed, yet, for many obsolete or preposterous existences of the shaman. To re-install beliefs present in the world for thousands of years, but have been disappearing, writers such as Neidhardt introduce the element of the
“…The search for holiness is dramatized by their willingness to suffer terrible pain from snake bite, or even death itself, to get the feeling of God in their lives” (Daugherty pg.82 Para 2). Many individuals seem to search for this meaning, largely due to the fact that most are economically disadvantaged, work in extremely dangerous conditions (miners), and usually uneducated because of their rural isolated backgrounds. In addition, all of the aforementioned characteristics gave cause to the proliferation and acceptance of this faith basis because it’s not a private matter and their strife/frustration with life unites them on common grounds in praise. Mainly, as stated in the article, their powerlessness is taken out of the equation when they’re together in church and filled with the Holy Spirit (Daugherty pg.83 para 2), and in a sense the worship itself is based off of its people gathering together to uphold and uplift each other with their faith. Moreover, beside their ritualistic snake handling, is their tendency to drink strychnine and lye. This ritualistic habit is more puzzling in my eyes, because they’re essentially drinking straight poison that should kill a
The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into
In this article, Miner gives a few hints that the Nairema are indeed Americans. The fact that Nacirema spelled backwards is American is a huge hint by itself. Another clue is the “holy-mouth-men.” If you sit down and think about it for a second it is obvious to realize that they are indeed dentists. Also the me...
Throughout ancient history, many indigenous tribes and cultures have shown a common trait of being hunter/gatherer societies, relying solely on what nature had to offer. The geographical location influenced all aspects of tribal life including, spirituality, healing philosophy and healing practices. Despite vast differences in the geographical location, reports show various similarities relating to the spirituality, healing philosophy and healing practices of indigenous tribal cultures.
By analyzing the Kawaiisu, a Great Basin Native tribe, I want to explore cultural wonders and observe their society as I compare an aspect of interest with that of another culture in the world, the Chuuk. Comparing different societies of the world will allow me to successfully learn about the Kawaiisu people in a more detailed and open minded manner. Populations all around the world throughout time have had different views and traditions of beliefs. Through this project, I hope to unravel and gain an understanding of different perspectives and ways of life.
Rituals are held as a very important part of any society, including ours. They go back to ancient times, or can be as simple as maintaining one’s hygiene. Non-western societies have rituals that may seem very foreign to us, but they have been engrained in their communities and are essential to their social structure. This interpretation will focus on the Great Pilgrimage, a ritual performed by Quechuan communities. We will be looking specifically at a community in the Sonqo area.
2) There are many rituals carried out by the Indigenous people but in particular there is one called
The article equips the reader with the tools needed to better understand other cultures, in terms of their own beliefs and rituals. Miner’s original approach does create a certain level of confusion that forces the reader to critically evaluate his purpose. “Body Ritual among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner ultimately brings people together, by illuminating the eccentricities present in all
The implementation of the NAGPRA has provoked a ranging conflict in interest between two groups, the scientists on one hand and the Native American tribes on the other. As expressed by Burt, scientists have held that the skeletal remains are a source of information that helps in relating the early and the new world (304). They argue that understanding the human evolution is beneficial to the modern communities as they are able to appreciate their history and origin. Conversely, the Native American tribes are of the views that preserving human remains prevents their spirits from resting. Unrest of the spirits may bring misfortune on the current and future generations. In terms of learning their history, the Native Americans bel...
Robbins Burling, David F. Armstrong, Ben G. Blount, Catherine A. Callaghan, Mary Lecron Foster, Barbara J. King, Sue Taylor Parker, Osamu Sakura, William C. Stokoe, Ron Wallace, Joel Wallman, A. Whiten, Sherman Wilcox and Thomas Wynn. Current Anthropology, Vol. 34, No. 1 (Feb., 1993), pp. 25-53
Every religion embodies a plethora of recognized rituals that are significant to its teachings. Customs exclusive to each religion can include acts such as: attending a weekly mass, praying five times a day at specified hours, celebrating the transition from childhood to manhood, along with endless others. The similarity shared amongst all religious rituals is that the follower of faith must believe whole-heartedly in what he/she is doing or saying. Dhikr, or the remembrance of God, is a ritual based in Islam that does not receive the attention it deserves from mainstream Muslims, and is highly under appreciated for its value (Robson 238). Its myriad versions allow it to be very personal, whereas other rituals are more structured, which is
the story in the Phillip Whitten and David E. K. Hunter anthropology book of No
Lehmann A. C. & Myers J. E. Magic, Witchcraft and Religion – An Anthropological Study of the Supernatural (Fourth Edition) (Mayfield Publishing Company, 1997). Miner, H. Body Ritual Among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist 58 (1956). Tambiah, S. J. & Co., Ltd. Magic, Science, Religion and the scope of Rationality (Cambridge University Press, 1990). Taylor, C. Rationality.
The word ordeal has been used several times when talking about initiation rituals and it is fitting to do so. Ordeal implies an extremely serious and severe situation of test or trail, which in its simplest description fits that of initiation rituals perfectly. In fact several anthropologists have used the word ordeal to describe the events of initiation rituals, while most do not limit their use of the word to only the experience of pain but rather the ritual in its entirety. When describing the Gisu circumcision rituals Suzette Heald brings to the reader’s attention clarity of the ordeal like nature of initiation rituals. Within the Gisu community this rite of passage for adolescent males is described as being a test of the individual (Heald 1982). The process is drawn out over several months of preparation, the earliest stage involving the preparation of costumes and dancing; this stage of the ritual is associated with “searching for imbalu” or in other words the gradual awaking of intent in the individual, boys have the opportunity to drop out at this stage without the consequences of societal disgrace (Heald 1982). The costume is especially significant as its purpose is to make the boys appear ‘wild’ (Heald 1982), and thus plays an important role in the liminal stage of the ritual (Morinis 1985). The liminal period is essential when it comes to the infliction and