The Nacirema tribe can be described as being mythical and full of mystery. It is a tribe whose people believe in mysterious shrines that endow one with power. Such power is measured by the number of shrines that a household possesses. It is, therefore, not wrong to say that rich people in the tribe are mysterious and powerful because they can afford more than one shrine (Miner, 1956). The traditions and customs of this tribe are shared with children soon after they have been initiated.
The beliefs and values of the Nacirema people stem from magical rituals secretly held by each household. Apart from having a culture dominated by a market economy driven by a fertile habitat, the Nacirema spend much of their time in spiritual activities. They are a people governed by spiritual shrines that act as places of worship and other magical rituals.
Two everyday rituals that are done in our culture include the ritual of worship and prayer. Most people in our culture engage in these two rituals because of the belief in a supernatural being that controls all life.
Horace Miner approaches this culture with a value-free approach because he does not use his values when interpreting the Nacirema culture. He uses the tribe’s culture to seek explanations to understand their beliefs and values. It is an approach that is not subjective but objective.
The two core American values are freedom and the right to life. Every American is free to exercise his rights so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. Moreover, the right to life is something that Americans genuinely value and cherish. They consider it an unalienable right that all must exercise.
Reference
Miner, H. (956). Body ritual among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist. 58(3), 503-507.