ANTA02H3 Lecture Notes - Culture Hero, Medicine Man, Nacirema
Document Summary
Different people tend to behave in similar situations and anthropologists are therefore not surprised by even the most exotic (unusual) customs. Miner believes there is a tribe that is capable of all possible combinations of behaviour. Nacirema is a clan organization that does magical beliefs and practices & depicts them as extremists to which human behaviour can go. Professor linton brought the ritual of the nacirema 20 years ago to the attention of anthropologists. However, the culture of the nacirema is still poorly understood. Lives in the territory between canadian cree1, the yaqui and tarahumare of mexico2, and the carib and arawak of the antilles3. Unknown origin, but their tradition states that they are from the east. The ceremonial aspects and associated philosophy are unique. Fundamental belief underlying the ritual activity is that the human body is ugly and is only meant to decay and be weak.
