The life of the Nacirema is rich in many rituals that shape the community and underline the role of magic. Three dominant concerns, namely the human body, the appearance, and human health, are usually mentioned in ceremonial activities. For example, the mouth fascination ritual proves the importance of the mouth’s condition in social relationships and explains why its hygiene cannot be ignored. Magical elements are used to improve the condition of an individual, and the Nacirema mention them because of the impossibility to explain the compounds that are usually transcribed in an ancient, secrete language. The article “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner explains how rituals are connected to the personality structure, and the author states the differences between male, female, and infant hygiene. I find these descriptions fascinating as they show how it is possible to treat routine activities and obligations in a specific way and understand their magical or spiritual worth.
The article reveals a number of strange characteristics in familiar things. Instead of washing teeth, people must realize that each step has a purpose and further impact. Such an outside perspective of American life is not weird but unique to gain a new strong meaning to the things that modern people do not find necessary to recognize. In today’s world, there are many nations and cultures where similar routines are treated differently. For instance, in movies, many English citizens are represented with faded smiles and bad teeth, compared to bleach Americans. Cultural relativism teaches people not to judge each other in terms of their personal beliefs, values, and traditions. This article helps me view the Nacirema as an adequate community whose principles and ideas may gain meaning in modern America.