I set off for a town in the southeast region of the Nacirema territory, and found myself drawn to a building with a peculiar four-sided spire that towered above the surrounding skyline and seemed to have no purpose whatsoever. This building was bustling with activity, and as I came closer to investigate, I found myself swept inside on a tide of Nacirema.
Their clothing was highly decorative and of the variety used in the most important of Nacirema rituals. Inside the building, most of the space was taken up by seating, but the front included a raised dais probably used for many different rituals. Decorations and offerings in the forms of flowers and ribbons adorned the place, and the Nacirema were chattering excitedly. I took my place near the back and tried to be unnoticeable.
Before too long, the chatter subsided and the crowd was silent, craning their necks back towards the entrance of the building. In a highly formulaic way, Nacirema came walking towards the dais in ones and twos. These Nacirema were in the most formal dress of all the assembled people, and they all matched. I assumed this meant that they would be leading whatever ritual was to come.
Before too long, a pair of small Nacirema children made their way to the dais. One spread flower petals on the ground, most probably another expression of offering. The other carried a small box on a decorative pillow. I could only assume that the contents of this box would be used in whatever was to come.
As one, the Nacirema all rose to their feet, and I was quick to follow suit. The mood quickly got more excited, and I realized that the climax of the ritual was coming. A woman in a closely-fitted white dress slowly walked towards the men and women already standing on and around the dais. The dress was so enormous that a good amount of it dragged on the ground behind her, and several young children were holding it up. I could only make sense of this by guessing that the dress was probably passed down from generation to generation because of strong sentimental or magical value, and it had originally belonged to a very tall woman. Besides this, her face was covered with a translucent shroud, most probably to assert purity or religiosity.
Once she reached the dais, she joined hands with one of the men standing there, and when an old shaman came out with a large book of magic and read passages about joining the two together forever, I realized that this was a mating ceremony, and this man was taking her as his own. The man appeared to be a friendly fellow, but because of the spontaneous crying and wailing that broke out among the female members of the audience, I suppose he must actually be a very mean or abusive man for them to mourn for her fate so.
At the end of the ceremony, the two Nacirema exchanged small metal bands, I assume so that everyone could see that she was his, and the pair had a brief moment of lip contact, sealing the agreement. After this, the Nacirema left to take part in celebration rites. Many of the women hung tearfully on the woman in white, probably giving her encouragement to be strong, even though they knew she would have a terrible life now that she was joined with this man.
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