The Nacirema have a truly diverse and rich culture that is sometimes misunderstood by those unfamiliar with their customs. Their ways and conformist nature seem to stem from self-insecurity and fear of disapproval from other Naciremans, though they act as if the world spins uniquely for each of them. They do not care for their own young, act uninterested in the behavior of other humans right next to them, and risk their lives for pleasure or temporary gain. This same self-centered and self-deluded nature may also explain why so little is known about this particular classification of Naciremans, the Tropwens.
The Tropwen occupy a relatively small portion of the Nacireman region, and although overcrowding remains a problem, very few leave the area in search of less populated regions. This is the first indication that they are unconsciously acting with a group focus, but it is also possible that they just like the weather. While most adults are often found working independently, when they sit down for a midday meal they can be observed engaging in group gatherings under a large cabin. Although these gatherings tend to be separated into smaller units ranging in size from two to four, they can range from eight or more people. Although these smaller groups appear to be segregated, when a small group is on top saying something bold or interesting, a merger of the larger group quickly assembles. These larger group discussions can be brief, with a brief interjection of approval or disapproval, which then quickly regresses to small groups, or they can become large, raucous discussions in which one person’s voice is lost among many. Diversity is seen throughout the gathering place, from workers covered in head-to-toe clothing, to walkers adorning shards of metal with physically attached stones pierced through their faces. No matter how the individuals appear, they share a common cultural construct: gathering under a single canopy to eat.
Adults aren’t the only ones who exhibit group behavior. Young Tropwen are abducted by their parents into small shelters to be cared for, often by complete strangers, with only one or two adult Tropwen for every twenty or more children, while their parents go about their daily lives. In these shelters, minority adults attempt a measure of control through scraps of food, entertainment, and sometimes rest. However, these are not infallible, since when one child breaks the silence, the rest follow. When these measures fail, discipline may be required, ranging from solitary confinement for a period of time varying from minutes to hours, or segregation from the group for up to a week. When the adults return to claim their offspring, the children rejoice while the adults display behavior ranging from mild joy to apathy and mourning. Perhaps this cultural ritual leads to the self-indulgent lifestyles of adult Tropwens.
Most of the Nacirema are forced to travel, sometimes as servants to their masters, sometimes to obtain food or to visit relatives. Something unexpected is the willingness of almost all of the Tropwens and Nacirema to risk their lives because their preferred method of travel is too dangerous. They routinely stuff themselves into tiny boxes that fire from homes like bullets from a gun, and fly from town to town painstakingly avoiding deadly collisions.
Another, slightly less lethal method of travel, which still induces fear among the population, looks like a large tube with wings, commonly called a senalpria. While many Nacirema have an exaggerated level of fear of these gigantic machines, almost all Tropwen have adapted to them and consider them routine. Nacirema will pile into this closed container by the hundreds like sardines, and will sit eagerly, sometimes for hours. The guardians of the senalpria try to maintain control by offering libations to the travelers, but all it takes to lose control completely is an outburst from a single individual, after which chaos ensues. If all parties managed to maintain their composure, the senalpria soars through the air like a bird, carrying the Nacirema thousands of feet above the ground, and only providing protection against a fall into the water, not the ground they are flying over. When the Senalpria finally resumes safe contact with the ground, all fear is seemingly forgotten and seems to leave the Nacirema eager to travel this path again.
An increasing number of Nacirema seem to feel overwhelmed by the pressures placed on them by Tropwen’s life, leading to debilitating habits such as smoking dried leaves, consuming imported and world-prepared libations, and ingesting other relaxing or altering products. the mind. Many of these substances are not easily obtained, and as such, a high price must be paid to import and produce these items. An apparent contradiction is that despite the majority of the population engaging in one or more of these activities, armed centurions may patrol markets, villages, workplaces and institutions, often subjecting and torturing, sometimes killing Tropwen relatives who are doing nothing. these same things, although people are told that they have free will. These centurions are hailed as heroes by most, and are only vetted after a staggering number of people disagree with their judgments. Although people are indoctrinated by their culture to think that they are individuals, this is an example of the Nacirema forming groups to work for a unified cause.
Tropwen’s self-propelled behavior actually seems to work in synergy with his group. Because they are taught from birth to think like an individual and protect themselves at all costs, they can react very caustically when other Tropwens and Nacirema show certain signs. While the Tropwens clearly endure some oppression and conflicting ideology, overall, most seem satisfied with their quality of life. They are very much a self-centered society, putting themselves above even their own children at times; however, it cannot be denied that they act and react as a group when culturally justified.