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• Nacirema


  A North American group known for their extreme rituals concerning body health and appearance
• Nacirema culture hero, Notgnihsaw


  • Legendary figure credited with founding Nacirema society, known for feats like throwing wampum across a river and chopping down a cherry tree
• Nacirema market economy


  Highly developed, dedicating significant time to economic pursuits and ritual activities
• Nacirema beliefs about the human body

  The human body is naturally ugly and prone to disease, requiring rituals to prevent decay and maintain health
• Shrines and charm-boxes in Nacirema culture


  Shrines are present in every household, serving as centers for ritual activities to combat the body's natural tendencies. Charm-boxes contain essential charms and magical potions for health
• Medicine Men and Holy-mouth-men in Nacirema culture


  Medicine Men are specialized practitioners who prescribe ingredients for charms and are highly respected. Holy-mouth-men are dentists believed to have powers to prevent and cure mouth diseases through painful rituals
• Latipso in Nacirema culture

  Medical facilities where intensive and often painful rituals are performed to treat severe illnesses, and entry requires significant gifts
• Daily body rituals in Nacirema culture

  Focus on cleansing and health, particularly oral care, involving elaborate and precise actions
• Listeners in Nacirema society

  Practitioners who help individuals by listening to their troubles and exorcising personal demons
• Nacirema cultural beauty standards

  Ritual fasts and feasts adjust body weight, and rites modify breast size to meet culturally defined standards, often unattainable. Some women celebrated and earn by displaying extreme breast sizes.
• Treatment of excretory and reproductive functions in Nacirema culture

  These functions are private and ritualized. Discussions about intercourse are taboo, and pregnancy and childbirth are secretive
• Cultural burdens and beliefs in Nacirema society


  The culture heavily relies on magical practices and materials to manage everyday life and health, with these rituals holding significant meaning despite their burdens
• Bronislaw Malinowski: 'Emphasizes the importance of magic in overcoming practical challenges in early human societies and advancing civilization'