What is the average life expectancy of the Amish?
We tell you everything. The Amish have a longer life expectancy than other Americans: 85 years on average, compared to 78 years for an American adult. Researchers have long believed that this longevity was explained by a healthy lifestyle, but that would not be the only explanation.
Why do Amish people live the way they do?
Why do the Amish live like they do? Because they sincerely believe that they can be closer to God and follow the principles as taught by Jesus Christ for both themselves as individuals and for their families in turbulent and dangerous times, and thus avoid many very bad influences coming at them from the world at large.
What do Amish people do for a living?
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What do Amish people do in their free time?
The Amish really enjoy reading about things that appeal to them and spend a lot of their free time doing so. It may surprise you to know that there are many books published each year specifically written by Amish authors about the things that the Amish care about.
What are the rules of Amish?
They are known for their strict rules involving dress. Old Order Amish communities often prohibit the use of buttons and zippers, for example. They also wear dark colors, mostly black. The communities regulate hair length, men must grow beards an acceptable length, and women are not allowed to get haircuts.
How many wives can an Amish have?
However, the Amish are rigidly attuned to the inner-workings of their faith, regardless of the denomination to which they belong. This means the traditional (and conservative) interpretation of marriage as being between one man and one woman is the only marriage that is conducted in Amish communities.
What is the focus of the Amish lifestyle?
Having children, raising them, and socialization with neighbors and relatives are the greatest functions of the Amish family. Amish believe large families are a blessing from God. The main purposes of "family" can be illustrated within the Amish culture in a variety of ways.
What do Amish people do?
Faith-based Amish traditions include wearing plain clothing, living in a simple manner and helping a neighbor in need. Church buildings with pews are traded for services in community homes, choirs for solemn hymns without music and professional pastors for community leaders.
What do Amish do on their wedding night?
They schedule an evening dinner at the homes of their wedding guests. And this is when the families will give the couple their wedding gift. Sometime the next spring they finally settle into their own home, and it's not usually very long till they start a family of their own.
What do Amish do at night?
Following the Amish rules known as Ordnung, the young couple is to lie beside each other for the duration of the night talking and being sure not to touch. With other Amish groups, the night may be spent with the couple sitting in a rocking chair, the young woman in the young man's lap.
What are the Amish rules in the bedroom?
While lying in bed, the couple are encouraged to speak to each other all night to become emotionally closer. While some Amish still practice bundling, the tradition originally stems from the Old Testament, and was mentioned in the Book of Ruth as a common Jewish practice.
What do Amish use instead of toilet paper?
The core of the legal showdown: What the Amish do with their poop. Instead of indoor plumbing and toilets, they use outhouses. They then dip out their waste by bucket, treat it with lime, mix it with animal manure and spread on their farm.
Do Amish marry their siblings?
In a nutshell, the Amish do in fact marry their cousins at times. There are a number of reasons for this — which we'll discuss further in the blog — but they basically boil down to the limitations that exist from the Amish way of life.
Can Amish drink alcohol?
New Order Amish prohibit alcohol and tobacco use (seen in some Old Order groups), an important factor in the original division. Different from the Old Order, the New Order actively suppress the use of tobacco and alcohol and do not allow bed courtship (bundling), which was an important factor in the original division.
How do Amish make money?
Many are experienced tradesmen and their quality wares are in demand. Many of the Amish who choose not to farm go into skilled trades like furniture building, construction, and metal parts manufacturing, Wesner said. These products are often sold to those outside the Amish community.
What do Amish people eat?
Amish main meals are usually built around hearty meat dishes, such as pork chops, ham, roast beef, or meatloaf. Dairy products, especially eggs and cheese, are also important dietary staples. The Amish are known throughout the country for the quality of the cheese they produce and market.
Do Amish marry their siblings?
In a nutshell, the Amish do in fact marry their cousins at times. There are a number of reasons for this — which we'll discuss further in the blog — but they basically boil down to the limitations that exist from the Amish way of life.
Do Amish have problems with inbreeding?
The Amish and Mennonite populations represent outstanding communities for the study of genetic disease for a number of reasons. There is a high degree of inbreeding, resulting in a high frequency of recessive disorders, many of which are seen rarely or are unknown outside of this population.
At what age do the Amish marry?
The Amish Community and Dating Dating among the Amish typically begins around age 16 with most Amish couples marrying between the ages of 20 and 22. To find a prospective date, the young adults socialize at functions such as frolics, church, or home visits.
How do you know if an Amish woman is married?
White Bonnets In most cases, the only time you see an Amish woman wearing a white bonnet is after she is married. It's essentially a symbol that she is a lifelong relation and “off the market” so to speak. If a man sees an Amish woman wearing a white bonnet, he will know that she's already married.
Who are the Amish?
The Amish are a Christian group in North America. The term refers primarily to the Old Order Amish Mennonite Church. The church originated in the l...
Where are Amish communities located in North America?
In the early 21st century, there were about 250,000 Amish living in more than 200 Old Order Amish settlements in the United States and Canada. The...
What is the difference between Amish and Mennonite beliefs?
In formal religious doctrine, Amish religious doctrine differs little from the Mennonites. Holy Communion is celebrated twice each year, while foot...
How do the Amish dress?
Amish men and boys wear broad-brimmed black hats, dark-colored suits, straight-cut coats without lapels, broadfall pants, suspenders, solid-colored...
Why do the Amish not use electricity?
The use of electricity is strongly avoided in the Amish community, as it is a prime connection to the world that could lead to temptations and worl...
Why do Amish people do Rumspringa?
Some of these teenagers are baptized members of the church while others are not. The purpose of Rumspringa is to find a spouse, not taste the outside world. In nearly all cases, it strengthens the Amish youths' desire to obey the rules and become a cooperative member of their community.
Why do Amish not have phones?
Old Order Amish do not allow a telephone in their homes, because it could lead to pride and gossip. The community may put a phone in a barn or outside phone booth, to deliberately make it inconvenient to use.
What is the main motivation for Amish life?
If you keep in mind that the practice of humility is the main motivation for almost everything the Amish do, Amish life becomes more understandable. They believe outside culture has a morally polluting effect. They think it promotes pride, greed, immorality and materialism.
Why do Amish wear straight pins?
They believe bright colors or patterns attract attention to a person. Some of their clothes are fastened with straight pins or hooks, to avoid buttons, which might be a source of pride.
What is the Ordnung?
The Ordnung is a set of oral rules for everyday living. Passed down from generation to generation, the Ordnung helps Amish believers be better Christians. These rules and regulations form the foundation of Amish life and culture.
What is Rumspringa in Pennsylvania?
Rumspringa, which is Pennsylvania German for "running around," varies from community to community, but this aspect of Amish life has been greatly exaggerated by movies and TV shows. In general, youth at 16 are allowed freedom to go to Amish community sings and other events. Boys may be given a buggy for dating.
What does the Ordnung mean in the Bible?
The Ordnung specifies everything from what type of shoes may be worn to the width of hat brims to hairstyles. Women wear a white prayer covering on their head if they are married, black if they are single.
What did Jakob Ammann teach?
Jakob Ammann ( c. 1644– c. 1730) was a Mennonite leader whose controversial teachings caused a schism among his coreligionists in Switzerland, Alsace, and southern Germany. Ammann insisted that any excommunicated Mennonite church member should be shunned socially and that anyone who lied should be excommunicated. Following Jesus ’ example, he introduced foot washing into the worship service and taught that church members should dress in a uniform manner, that beards should not be trimmed, and that it was wrong to attend services in a state church. Although Ammann sought reconciliation with the Mennonites, he continued to insist that all who had been excommunicated should be avoided, and therefore his attempts at reconciliation failed. Amish communities sprang up in Switzerland, Alsace, Germany, Russia, and Holland, but emigration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries and assimilation with Mennonite groups gradually eliminated the Amish in Europe.
Where did the Amish come from?
Amish, also called Amish Mennonite, member of a Christian group in North America, primarily the Old Order Amish Mennonite Church. The church originated in the late 17th century among followers of Jakob Ammann.
What do Amish people wear?
Men and boys wear broad-brimmed black hats, dark-coloured suits, straight-cut coats without lapels, broadfall pants, suspenders, solid-coloured shirts, and black socks and shoes. Their shirts may fasten with conventional buttons, ...
What is the Amish book called?
In most Amish homes a special place is reserved alongside the Bible for the Martyr’s Mirror , a book chronicling Amish history and honouring the many Amish, Mennonite, and Anabaptist forebears who died for their faith.
How many Amish are there in Wisconsin?
Most of Wisconsin’s more than 30 Amish communities are found in west-central and western parts of the state.….
How often are Amish baptized?
Persons are baptized when they are admitted to formal membership in the church, about the age of 17 to 20 years.
How many Amish were there in the 21st century?
In the early 21st century there were about 250,000 Amish living in more than 200 Old Order Amish settlements in the United States and Canada; the largest were located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas, and others were found in Wisconsin, Maine, Missouri, and Minnesota.
Why are Amish people called plain people?
This is because they lead a very simplistic lifestyle that is free of the modern conveniences that the majority of the country takes for granted. This lifestyle is born of their religious beliefs, to which they are strongly devoted. To the outside world the Amish are a curiosity.
What is the Amish lifestyle?
This lifestyle is born of their religious beliefs, to which they are strongly devoted. To the outside world the Amish are a curiosity. Their method of dress, horse-drawn buggies and unassuming manner often seem like a step-back to a simpler time.
What is it called when an Amish community builds a barn?
Barn-Raising. When a barn needs to be constructed, Amish communities engage in what is called a barn-raising event. Because the building of a barn required more labor than a single family could muster, an entire community of people was typically called in to complete the task.
What do Amish believe?
The Amish believe in one God. They believe that their faith calls for them to lead a lifestyle that consists of hard work and discipline. In addition to discipline and hard work, their religion also calls for them to lead a lifestyle in which they practice humility, calmness, and placidity. Standing out as an individual through self-promotion or self-expression is forbidden. They closely follow the word of the bible, which is seen as the Word of God. People who do not adhere to the teachings of the church are subject to shunning by the church and the community. Amish religious services are typically held within the congregation members’ homes. Mass often involves communion and foot washing. Adult baptism is also a tradition. Popular holidays celebrated by the Amish are religious holidays. Celebrated holidays include Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Ascension Day, Pentecost, and Whit Monday.
What are the Amish schools?
Traditional Amish schools are simple one-room houses where grades one through eight are taught together. Children attend school until they reach the eighth grade. It is their belief that education beyond the eighth grade is unnecessary for the Amish lifestyle. Following the completion of their schooling, boys and girls are instructed in the duties that they will fulfill in life. Boys are instructed on farming, while girls are instructed on their household duties. The Amish community is a highly social one. Women often meet to quilt together or may perform chores together.
What do Amish wear?
The clothing that Amish men and women wear is meant to reflect their faith and express their simplicity and humility. Males typically wear dark suits with pants that are held up by suspenders . For work, shoes are brown, while more formal occasions call for black shoes.
Why did the Amish split into two groups?
The Amish people split into two groups as a result of their disagreements. One group took the name of the Amish Mennonites, while the other more traditional group took the title of Old Order Amish.
What are the two groups that adhere to their tradition and to a belief in Gottes Wille?
The Swatzenburger and Old Order Amish are two conservative groups that adhere to their tradition and to a belief in Gottes Wille. It is heart breaking to hear of anyone, especially a baby, simply being thrown from a buggy due to a collision with an automobile and lack of basic preventative measures. 5. No smoke alarms!
What aspect of Amish life was missed?
One aspect of Amish life which was missed is taxation! It is true that Uncle Sam allows the Amish and Mennonites to practice their religion with least disturbance possible: buggies on public roads, their own private schools, right to be exempted from military service and from paying social security taxes, etc.
What is the Amish way of life?
10 Amish Ways of Life that May Surprise You. The Amish are a group of people who live in North America and adhere to a strict set of rules by which they live. Their philosophy is based on the bible and steeped in tradition. All Amish people can be traced back to one religious group led by Jakob Ammann in Switzerland in 1693.
Why do Amish get birth certificates?
Amish get birth certificates for their children because every state and territory's law requires it. They strictly obey the laws of the land unless it would cause a violation of their beliefs. Birth certificate laws are "directory," not "mandatory," as they do not have criminal penalties fot not obeying them.
What is the tradition of sleeping together on a first date?
Sleeping together on the first date is practiced in some Amish groups. This means that the couple sleeps together in the same bed all night. Following the Amish rules, known as Ordnung, the young couple is to lie beside each other for the duration of the night.
Where do Amish live?
The Amish are a group of people who live in North America and adhere to a strict set of rules by which they live. Their philosophy is based on the bible and steeped in tradition. All Amish people can be traced back to one religious group led by Jakob Ammann in Switzerland in 1693. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish.
Do Amish people ride horses?
4. Amish people continue to use a horse and bu ggy, but the dangers of riding in a horse drawn buggy are great. Buggy accidents are common. If you consider a collision between a horse drawn buggy and a modern automobile, you have a recipe for disaster.
What grade do Amish children go to school?
Amish Schools and Education. Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses through the eighth grade. Worship services are held every other week in one of the member's homes. Socializing is an important part of their life. They have a strong sense of community spirit, and often come to the aid of those in need.
What are the most common names in Lancaster County?
"According to John A. Hostetler, author of Amish Society, the most common family names in Lancaster county are: Stoltzfus, King, Fisher, Beiler, and Lapp.#N#The most common first names for males are: John, Amos, Samuel, Daniel, and David.#N#The most common first names for females are: Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, Katie, and Annie."
How many Amish churches are there in Lancaster County?
Today there are over 25 different Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren church groups in Lancaster County, all holding to slightly different traditions and their own interpretations of the Bible. The more traditional groups are called 'old order'. They do not permit electricity or telephones in their homes.
What are the Amish people's priorities?
Their families and their farms are their top priorities, second only to God. The Amish people are very devout in their faith. They believe in the literal interpretation and application of Scripture as the Word of God. They take seriously the Biblical commands to separate themselves from the things of the world.
Why are Amish people better than other people?
By restricting access to television, radio, and telephones, the Amish are better able to keep the modern world from intruding into their home life. These people have long preferred farming as a way of life. They feel their lifestyle and their families can best be maintained in a rural environment.
What is barn raising?
"A barn-raising is indeed a community endeavor for the Amish. At daybreak, the buggies arrive at the farm where the barn is to be erected.#N#Then, an experienced Amish carpenter/contractor is put in charge and men are assigned to various areas of work. Often the framing is completed before the noon meal and in the afternoon the roofing is installed.#N#An Amish Barn Raising#N#Meanwhile the women are preparing a delicious noon meal, sometimes served outdoors. There is always prayer before a meal is served. The children play games and are available to run errands. But they also have a most exciting day as spectators at a truly amazing project of brotherly love---building a barn in one day."
Where are the Amish from?
Not far from the hustle and bustle of city life live the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These deeply religious people shun the conveniences of modern society to live a simpler life where transportation is a horse and buggy and horsepower really means horsepower.
How old do Amish people have to be to be baptized?
Because a conscious faith decision is required before an Anabaptist can be publicly baptized, Amish believers usually do not undergo baptism until they are between the ages of about 18 to 25. Waiting until they are older to be baptized helps ensure that they have made a genuine decision rather than just trying to please their parents or following the traditions of the community. People are not considered a full member of the church until this adult baptism.
What do Amish people do instead of going to church?
Instead of “going to church,” Amish people set aside Sundays for worshiping and fellowshipping with each other, usually at one of the community members’ homes. Their practice of faith is much more organic and community-centric than that of other religious groups that rely on a central building. This harkens back to the Anabaptist Radical Reformation, which saw the rejection of the idea that the church visible and church invisible were separate, meaning that any gathering of the faithful was a church indeed.
What is the Anabaptist faith?
A hallmark of the Anabaptist faith is traditionally nonviolence, although small sects of radical Anabaptists have historically embraced violence as a means to defend their faith. As Anabaptists, the Amish adamantly oppose any form of violence, to the extent that they will defy the government. They are conscientious objectors to military service, and while they are required to register for selective service, would likely refuse a military draft as many have in the past. When the Indian Removal Act was initiated, many Amish families took Native Americans into their homes in defiance of the government.
What is anabaptist interpretation?
In addition to adult baptism, Amish communities believe in using excommunication, a means by which a member becomes excluded from a faith community due to sinful behavior. A major splintering of the Anabaptists in Germany was focused around the Amish denying even common meal sharing to excommunicated people. Shunning, public shaming of an individual, can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the act that a person performed.
What do Amish dolls do?
In addition to promoting modesty and humility, these dolls are equalizers: no child can say that his or her baby is prettier or uglier than another one. These dolls also embody the unadorned, simple physical style of the Amish themselves, with no ornamentation or jewelry being allowed.
What are the two groups of Amish?
They are composed of two main groups, the Old Order Amish (who are much more conventional and largely abstain from any modern conveniences, including electricity) and Amish Mennonites (who embrace nonviolence as the core of their traditional ethic). In addition to a Biblical way of life, the Old Order Amish seek to preserve 17th century rural European culture.
Why do Amish women sew their own clothes?
In order to maintain a simple, Biblical lifestyle, Amish women sew their own clothes, traditionally from one single color and likely woven of one fabric to comply with the laws in Leviticus. They do not use any accessories, usually not even buttons. In preparation for a wedding, a bride might sew her own formal dress, which will be used on other occasions, as well. Because married women do not wear rings, they often wear black bonnets .
Why are Amish so lenient?
The creepy reason the Amish are oddly lenient when it comes to rebellious teen behaviour. Via: sportingz.com. Teenagers, no matter how stern their upbringing, are always going to rebel. Whether they’re smoking pot and shoplifting, defying a curfew or getting drunk in a bar, there’s no way of stopping it.
Why do Amish people shun cars?
But the real reason the Amish shun cars is way more creepy. It’s because they don’t want their community to be able to leave. Let that sink in for a minute. Yep, that’s right. Cars give people easy access to the outside world and that might encourage them to abandon the Amish way of life.
Do Amish have a moustache?
You won’t find any manscaping, metrosexuals in the Amish community. Nor will you spot a moustache. Banned in the 1800s, moustaches were once a sign of wealth or being in the military – so the Amish banned them. Now they’re usually a sign of a pretentious hipster – so it’s probably good that they are keeping the ban in place. Beards are definitely on though – but only if you’re married. Once wed you have to grow a beard to signal that you’re taken. It’s also a sign that you’ve become a man. Basically a permanent hairy badge to display the loss of your virginity.
Can Amish women shave their heads?
As well as not being allowed to cut the hair on their heads – for religious reasons, Amish women can’t shave either. So unless they’re waxing on the regular – presumably also forbidden, then Amish women are rocking some seriously wild lady gardens. 6. There are strict rules in place for Amish men’s beards.
Do Amish play safe?
The Amish don’t play safe between the sheets. Via: pinterest.com. Any adult activity before marriage is banned and, obviously, once you’re married you shouldn’t be sleeping with anyone except your spouse. So far, so Amish and so the need for playing it safe is diminished.
Is musical talent discouraged in Amish communities?
Musical talent is actively discouraged within Amish communities. Think of the joy music brings to everyday life. Whether you’re listening to some dirty beats on the radio, checking out a dance remix on YouTube or laying down some serious guitar riffs in the studio, it’s all good man.
Is Amish culture creepy?
The Amish way of life can get seriously creepy. When you look beyond the seemingly simple and quaint lifestyle, things are pretty dark. Everything from their insistence on using a horse and buggy to the Amish style of music has a sinister reason behind it. Their small communities rarely let outsiders in, and with good reason. Much of what goes on in Amish households simply wouldn’t be tolerated in wider society.
What is Rumspringa about?
Rumspringa is not only a time to discover technology and modern artifacts; it is also a time to come closer to other teenagers and discover love. Once it is over and shortly after they get baptized the majority of them get married and begin their adult life as a new family, living under the Amish lifestyle.
What language do Amish speak?
They are much known for their cuisine, canned food, and carpentry work. 2. Amish can speak English but they’d rather speak their dialect. Although they know English, their most spoken language is Pennsylvania Dutch, a dialect introduced by German immigrants in the late 17 th century. Interestingly, and as opposed to the rest of the country, ...
What is the Amish school made of?
The school is composed of one big room with a wood stove to keep everyone warm and lots of wildflowers that the little ones had brought to their teacher. Amish children of all ages share the space but they had individual assignments according to their capacities.
What is the Amish lifestyle?
The Amish are a traditionalist Christian based community with a common lifestyle: simple living, plain dress, and no technology. I had the incredible opportunity to get to know a family and live with the Amish for one week. These are the things I learned by living with the Amish. Keep reading, you might be shocked!
Can Amish people use cars?
Amish people know the answer; they are not allowed to use cars or any other type of locomotion that implies electricity. Their main way to move around on their everyday basis is a horse buggy. I was incredibly lucky because Naomi asked me if I would like to drive the horse buggy to her friend’s house.
Do Amish houses have trampolines?
Other than that, Amish houses are pretty similar to ours; they even have trampolines in their backyard for kids to play! 5. You can be an Amish and still be trendy.
Do Amish have lamps?
Their houses are built like the typical traditional American house, with normal furniture and country-style decoration. However, they don’t have any lamps or light bulbs and the kitchen has a gas stove with a wooden oven.
Overview
Amish believe large families are a blessing from God. Amish rules allow marrying only between members of the Amish Church. The elderly do not go to a retirement facility; they remain at home. As time has passed, the Amish have felt pressures from the modern world; their traditional rural way of life is becoming more different from the modern society. Isolated groups of Amish p…
Family and personal life
Having children, raising them, and socialization with neighbors and relatives are the greatest functions of the Amish family. Amish believe large families are a blessing from God. The main purposes of "family" can be illustrated within the Amish culture in a variety of ways. The family has authority over the individual throughout life. Loyalties to parents, grandparents, and other relatives may ch…
Lifestyle and culture
Amish lifestyle is dictated by the Ordnung (German, meaning: order), which differs slightly from community to community, and, within a community, from district to district (there are over 25 different Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren church groups in Lancaster County). What is acceptable in one community may not be acceptable in another. No summary of Amish lifestyle and culture can b…
Use of modern technology
The Older Order Amish are known for their avoidance of certain modern technologies. Amish do not view technology as evil, and individuals may petition for acceptance of a particular technology in the local community. In Pennsylvania, bishops meet in the spring and fall to discuss common concerns, including the appropriate response to new technology, and then pass this infor…
Relations with the outside world
As time has passed, the Amish have felt pressures from the modern world. Child labor laws, for example, are threatening their long-established ways of life, and raise questions regarding the treatment of children in an Amish household, and also in the way the Amish view emotional and medical support. A modern society places little emphasis on the emotional and spiritual bonds found in a…
See also
• List of U.S. states by Amish population
• Bank of Bird-in-Hand
Further reading
• Trollinger, Susan L. (2012). Selling the Amish: The Tourism of Nostalgia. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 9781421404196.
External links
• Harmonies Workshop - Amish Music
• In Amish Country, the Future Is Calling - The New York Times
History
- The roots of the Amish Mennonite culture extend back to the 16th century in Europe, where they were known as the Swiss Brethren, an offshoot of the Mennonites. The Amish culture is named after Jakob Ammann, who was a Mennonite leader in the 17th to 18th century. In an attempt to escape the problem of religious persecution in Europe, many Amish groups immigrated to Penn…
Religious Beliefs/Traditions
- The Amish believe in one God. They believe that their faith calls for them to lead a lifestyle that consists of hard work and discipline. In addition to discipline and hard work, their religion also calls for them to lead a lifestyle in which they practice humility, calmness, and placidity. Standing out as an individual through self-promotion or se...
Beliefs About Modern Conveniences
- According to their beliefs, the Amish are not to conform to the world. For this reason they shun certain modern conveniences that would not allow them to adhere to their beliefs. The Amish do not use electricity, so there are no televisions, computers, or radios. Amish do not own cars, but may accept a ride from someone who does. Members do not own cars as it would create an ine…
Schooling and Socializing
- Traditional Amish schools are simple one-room houses where grades one through eight are taught together. Children attend school until they reach the eighth grade. It is their belief that education beyond the eighth grade is unnecessary for the Amish lifestyle. Following the completion of their schooling, boys and girls are instructed in the duties that they will fulfill in life…
Clothing
- The clothing that Amish men and women wear is meant to reflect their faith and express their simplicity and humility. Males typically wear dark suits with pants that are held up by suspenders. For work, shoes are brown, while more formal occasions call for black shoes. Amish men are also seen wearing hats when outdoors. Men wear black felt hats or straw hats in warmer weather co…
Barn-Raising
- When a barn needs to be constructed, Amish communities engage in what is called a barn-raising event. Because the building of a barn required more labor than a single family could muster, an entire community of people was typically called in to complete the task. The work was done largely by volunteers and would be completed in a matter of a few days, typically in June and Jul…
Miscellaneous
- Most Amish people speak English and a language called Pennsylvania Dutch, which is similar to German. Pennsylvania Dutch is most often spoken at church or during meals. The Amish enjoy music, although they do not dance to music. Singing occurs in church and consists of songs from a German songbook that is called Ausbund. Children also sing religiously themed songs in scho…