If you live in the Midwest, specifically Pennsylvania, you are likely familiar with the Amish culture. Modern-day rituals are generally avoided by this religious community. They are a really nice group, but they prefer to keep their lives private, so little is known about them. They also have fascinating customs that will astound you! We’ve compiled a list of facts for you to check out.
What Is So Incredible About The Amish Culture? Find Out Here
What Car?
Amish people wish to leave modern technology and travel by horse or carriage rather than automobile. This is mostly due to religious prohibitions on the use of technology. The Amish will take trips from these cars, but they are not allowed to drive.
What Car?
Beards
The most common sight of Amish men is a beard and no mustache, but Amish men are not absolutely necessary to have clean-shave. Though mustaches are forbidden in their faith, beards are accepted in their scripture since the Bible specifies that men are supposed to have been adorned with them.
Beards
Believer’s Baptism
Via faith to gain maturity and full membership in the Amish society and express their commitment to a traditional way of life through their adult baptism. This custom originates from the practice of baptizing a person ‘Anabaptism”, which means one who does so a second time
Believer’s Baptism
Special Protocol
In terms of social life, there are unique laws that are forbidden and documented in the Ordnung. These rules apply to any aspect of Amish life, including clothing, technology, and education. It comes from a German term that means “command” or “discipline.”
Special Protocol
Local Autonomy
Since there is no organized religious government, each church is free to change the Ordnung as it sees fit. As a result of their willingness to do so, each Amish community’s rules can vary. Some neighborhoods have more stringent rules than others.
Local Autonomy
Rumspringa
It is a vital opportunity for Amish teens to spend time going out on their own because this is when they discover the world around them. They can also fly beyond their domestic limits, and partake in behaviors they’re not permitted to do in their homes.
Rumspringa
Normal Marriages
In the Amish families, couples are not interested in entering into arranged marriages and date-style activities such as those of the rest of the population. but, however, most people wrongly believe that arranged marriages have been the norm in many times in history
Normal Marriages
Multiple Languages
Not one, but three languages are covered in Amish education! Students are taught English, German, and Pennsylvania Dutch/German from an early age. These languages are also spoken in the nations, so expect to hear one of these three if you visit anytime soon.
Multiple Languages
Wedding Season
Most brides prefer weddings to be held in the fall or early winter as these times correspond to the seasonal holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. Since the end of the year will be used for wedding ceremonies is in Latin American Harvest and Communion, they usually only October and November are required for harvesting. This little time is running out!
Wedding Season
Healthy
Amish culture has a fascinating law that appears to have enhanced community wellbeing. They have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and smoking, and studies indicate that they have a cancer rate that is 40% lower than the rest of the world. Given the advantages, maybe more people need to follow this lead!
Healthy
Fashion
Since the Amish put a high emphasis on modesty, they can only wear small quantities of clothing. It is against school policy for them to wear brightly-colored clothes or those which feature unique patterns, in order to keep them looking historically correct.
Fashion
Origins
After the Amish families fled their homelands in Europe and escaped religious persecution, they came to the U.S. in 1963. up until the Revolution, Pennsylvania was well established as a haven for religious freedom, and so they chose this site as a haven for those who wished to practice their religion elsewhere.
Origins
Sleeping Together Before Marriage
In stark contrast to other religious cultures, Amish couples are encouraged to sleep in the same bed before getting married. On the other hand, however, patients must be naked and fully restrained while they are speaking while in bed. It is something to consider before marriage for them to improve their relationship.
Sleeping Together Before Marriage
Tax Rule
While the Amish and everyone else pay taxes, they get additional financial assistance from the government for themselves to supplement their income from business because they don’t participate in the government system. Another problem that their exclusion from the Social Security System has is that they don’t have to pay these fines, so they earn social security benefits.
Tax Rule
The Largest Amish Population
For others, it appears that the majority of Pennsylvania’s Amish are settling in Ohio and Indiana today, this can be assumed to be true, but this is not true for the family that settled here. Despite the hype, you making new claims about their vastness, all-encompassing expanses, you actually are close to Pennsylvania but in it’s best effort are just on par with Ohio.
Short Education
Short Education
It is a widely accepted fact that Amish children are commonly taught in the private schools. A very fascinating and unusual pattern is that they generally go to school until they’re in the eighth grade before they become productive members of society.
Short Education
Right To Vote
Since the members of the Amish community do not vote in general elections, it is very rare for them to vote in US presidential elections. An estimate of less than 15% of Amish voters participating in the general election was reported in a survey.” This idea was largely rejected by voters, but there are a few who still support it, all the same.
Right To Vote
Loyal Peacemakers
According to an Amish view, there is much to be learned by not becoming involved in violence, and cultivating reconciliation is an integral virtue. Furthermore, they do not even serve in the military, and actively protest against the death penalty.
Loyal Peacemakers
Unique Toys
As with Amish children, many young as possible, the dolls given to children in the community are dressed in a faceless way. There is no smile on the doll’s face since this doll is significant in terms of life. This ensures that the children can never become narcissistic.
Unique Toys
Acapella
Moving on, one step further, in regards to keeping everyone equal, they do not portray things or present persons in a positive light that can enhance the already-existing differences between them. Thus, this phenomenon is spread through general stores that don’t allow the variety of music scores on their performers; similar to the plastic dolls, the success of this song did not promote self-absorption.
Acapella
A Computer For The Amish
A computer built specifically for the Amish has been published. There is no internet connection or video/music capabilities with the “Deskmate word processor.” Basic word processing, spreadsheets, and accounting are all available. This tool is suitable for Amish families and does not go against Amish practices.
A Computer For The Amish
Growing Population
In 1920, there were about 5,000 Amish in the United States. In 19845, the figure had risen to nearly 84,000, and it now stands at 300,000. This rise is mostly due to God’s desire for larger families, as well as the fact that more people will assist with farm work.
Growing Population
Strict Guidelines For Clothes
The Amish code is the most important law to keep in mind if you want to be well-dressed. They are usually dressed in dark colors and are prohibited from wearing those that are shiny or fastened with velcro.
Strict Guidelines For Clothes
Isolated From The Community
The Amish youth face a tough decision following their Rumspringa trip. They must choose whether to remain in the church or leave it. This is a tough choice because if they don’t make it, they’ll be cut off from their families and friends for the rest of their lives. This is why 90% of customers remain loyal.
Isolated From The Community
Technology Exceptions
In terms of technology, the majority of Amish families have strict laws, but some are more versatile than others. Tractors, electric refrigerators, bathtubs with running water, and propane gas are all permitted in the Alona Amish nation. Some societies also permit the use of mobile phones.
Technology Exceptions
No Rings
One of the many Amish customs is that no rings are worn during the engagement or wedding ceremony. There is no jewelry permitted when a couple agrees to get engaged, and the same rule applies to the wedding ceremony. This is just one of the odd Amish wedding customs.
No Rings
Secret Engagements
Keeping engagements concealed from families and the community for many months is a popular practice in Amish cultures. Couples usually get engaged in the spring but don’t tell their families until the summer. The family then preserves this a secret until the ceremony begins in October.
Secret Engagements
No White Dress
On their wedding day, Amish brides don’t wear white; instead, they wear blue. The bride designs her own gown as well as the gowns for her bridesmaids. Following this day, she wears the same wedding gown to church and is buried in it.
No White Dress
Traditional Food
Celery is a traditional Amish wedding dish. Many soups and other dishes contain it as the main ingredient. It’s also used in place of flowers as a decoration. If a family is planning a wedding, they typically start growing celery months in advance. And before the idea is made public!
Traditional Food
No Real Retirement Age
Amish people usually start cutting back on their daily lives between the ages of 50 and 70. This is also dictated by their physical condition. They usually relocate to a designated grandparent’s home on their family’s land. When elderly people are in good health, they prefer to stay at home and the woman in the family takes care of them when their health deteriorates.
No Real Retirement Age
Baptism
Amish children are baptized between the ages of 16 and 25. The person is not permitted to marry until that time. They can only marry other members of the same church. It often happens quickly. This is very peculiar as compared to other styles of Christianity. Since, for the most part, baptizing a child is a parental decision. People in the Amish culture, on the other hand, make their own decisions about whether or not to be baptized. Children aren’t baptized because they aren’t mature enough to make their own decisions.
Baptism
Photographs Taken
Even though the Amish don’t mind people photographing them, they aren’t allowed to photograph themselves. They are also not permitted to have them in their residences. The same rationale applies to the dolls and clothing: to keep them humble and avoid vanity.
Photographs Taken
A Frolic
Barn-raising is referred to as a frolic among the Amish. When a new barn is required, they make a big deal out of it. Hundreds of people are expected to attend. The men are in charge of manual labour, while the women are in charge of meal preparation. It’s a well-liked pastime.
A Frolic
Success Rate
If an Amish person leaves the Amish church, he or she will almost certainly lose touch with his or her relatives. This is because they will be shunned and excommunicated. However, nearly 90% of Amish adolescents chose to remain in the church.
Success Rate
Dog Farming
Despite their reputation for being highly noble, one aspect of Amish culture takes on a far darker hue. Due to rising farmland prices and declining demand for small-scale agriculture, some Amish communities have turned to dog farming as a new source of income. In reality, the Amish group owns roughly 20% of all puppy mills in the United States.
Dog Farming
High Inbreeding
Even if the Amish do not deliberately marry their cousins, inbreeding is a real possibility in their families. They don’t have much choice when it comes to marrying another Amish person because their families in Amish country are so small.
High Inbreeding
No Recruits
Another fascinating feature of the Amish is that they oppose evangelism. They have a tradition of rejecting non-members and isolating themselves from the modern world. It’s no surprise, then, that the Amish refuse to recruit. Also the most ardent supporters of the Amish are unable to join the church.
No Recruits
“English” Outsiders
The Amish are unconcerned with your race, skin tone, or country of origin. They refer to someone who isn’t Amish as an English person. It is largely due to centuries-old immigration trends. When you consider that the Amish are not known for modifying their traditions, it makes sense.
“English” Outsiders
Memories
Amish people do not have Instagram accounts, as one would think. They don’t use cameras, so it’s probably clear. Did you remember, however, that they don’t make paintings either? It’s a little perplexing, since a brush and canvas aren’t exactly cutting-edge technology, so what’s the logic behind it? In Amish tradition, when a loved one passes away, the only thing left to remember them is their memories. Having a graven picture, such as a painting or a photograph of someone, is prohibited.
Memories
No Dating
Since you need someone who will support your religion, it’s no wonder that the Amish only marry people from their culture. To say the least, persuading someone to fully change their lifestyle and behaviors for marriage is challenging. However, there are also significant dating limits in the Amish community. You are not allowed to date someone who has not been baptized in the Amish religion. You can’t even start dating until you’ve been accepted into the group. Not to mention that dating takes place only in public places.
No Dating
Blessed Engagement
Any significant life event in the Amish community necessitates due thought and involves the whole community. People can’t just get engaged and marry without anyone’s permission. It doesn’t take long for a couple to get engaged once they start dating. If the man proposes, he and his fiancee must seek church permission. They are permitted to marry after the church has blessed them.
Blessed Engagement
The Honeymoon
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could spend your honeymoon with your parents? From the outside, it seems to be very obnoxious. Amish cultures, on the other hand, are steeped in tradition, and this is one of them. The bride’s parents will host the honeymoon. The bride and groom would then clean the parents’ home the next morning as a sign of appreciation.
The Honeymoon
The Honeymoon Continues
Amish honeymoons are made up of many pieces that are spread out in various locations. After spending the first night at the bride’s parents’ home, the couple will pack their belongings and travel to the next house, where they will meet all of their relatives as husband and wife. If the newlywed couple does not yet have their own home, they will live with the bride’s parents until they can afford their own.
The Honeymoon Continues
Not Amish
When you see someone wearing a bonnet, don’t jump to conclusions; they may not even be Amish. Mennonites are among them. The Amish and Mennonites are not the same, considering their similarities. In reality, if you mix the two up, they’ll be really offended. Mennonites are a non-Orthodox Christian denomination close to the Amish. They don’t separate themselves and live in more modern societies. Many of them use technology and drive vehicles. There are occasions when a Mennonite’s dress is indistinguishable from that of a non-Mennonite.
Not Amish
Meidung
Despite the fact that the Amish have many limitations regarding their activities and lifestyles, they are also surprisingly permissive and encourage people to come to their own conclusions. There is, however, a framework in place for those who break the rules. It’s essentially an Amish version of a “time-out.” If anyone is found to be breaking their ethics code, there will certainly be ramifications. Meidung is one of them, which means that the individual is shunned by the group.
Meidung
Being Excommunicated
Although Meidung refers to being disowned by the Amish community, Bann is a much more severe penalty. If the transgression is severe enough to result in permanent excommunication, you’ll be placed in the Bann and treated as an outsider. Depending on your ‘crime,’ you may be rejected for an extended period of time. Even if it can seem harsh, the goal is for the individual to recognize their error and apologize.
Being Excommunicated
DNA Testing
Everyone nowadays wants to get DNA analysis to learn more about their ancestors and maybe locate long-lost relatives, thanks to modern technology. All except the Amish, who refuse to allow it. That is why marrying your third cousin in their community is so easy. They assume it is God’s will that inbreeding exists.
DNA Testing
Potlucks
This is a celebration you’ll want to participate in. The Amish are very generous people. In their culture, the concept of hosting and engaging in shared meals is extremely significant. Everyone brings something to the huge table, because it’s essentially one big potluck. It happens very often, and it’s the ideal opportunity to catch up with others.
Potlucks
No Church Buildings
Seeing all of the art that religious groups around the world have made, as well as their places of worship, is one of the most exciting aspects of visiting them. There aren’t any churches in Amish land, so visitors won’t be able to visit them. They aren’t very fond of ornate cathedrals or temples. They claim that because they can study the bible anywhere, they don’t need a church or anything fancy.
No Church Buildings