ANT 3302 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Nacirema, Medicine Man, Developed Market
Document Summary
Body rituals of the nacirema by horace miner (1956): http://www. sociology. ohio-state. edu/classes/soc101/gassanov/body. The magical beliefs/ practices of the nacirema are so unusual that they are described as an example of the extremes to which human behavior can go. Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy that evolved in a rich natural habitat. A large portion of the day is spent in ritual activity: focus is the human body: appearance and health are a dominant concern in the ethos of the people, practices are unique. More powerful individuals means they have more shrines in their houses. Opulance of a house is often referred to in terms of the number of such ritual centers it has wealthy houses have shrines that are welled with stone. Most powerful: medicine men who must be rewarded with substantial gifts. Do not provide the curative potions for their clients but decide what the ingredients should be and write them down in ancient/secret language.
