Death Be Not Strange Summary

“The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit”, Wade Davis (National Geographic, 2014). In Peter A. Metcalf’s article titled “Death be not Strange”, he brings into question our own feelings of cultural superiority and what is considered normal when comparing and discussing the burial practices of both America and the Berawan people of Borneo. At first glance it is easy to assume that the cultural practice of the latter is just as ridiculous and incoherent as any other tribes which are not “accepted” or “approved” by Western standards. However after a closer look it is made clear by the end of the article that perhaps what we should in fact be questioning is none other than own customs and beliefs and not that of others.
Peter A. Metcalf’s interest in
The process of embalming involves the blood being drained from one of the veins and being replaced by another fluid which is injected into one of the main arteries. Then with a long hallow needle cavity fluid is then removed and replaced with preservatives. The fluid helps to keep the body temporarily from shrivelling and turning another colour, (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014). If we are to go through the process of embalming step by step, sucking the fluids out of the corpse, and then dressing them up in stylish clothing for display, surely this does seem very sickening and unsound even more so than the Berawan funeral rites. By taking an objective stance we are able to properly reflect on our own custom and realize that perhaps the funeral practices of the Berawan are not as deluded and illogical as we might think compared to our