An Introduction to the Amish Population
Beliefs, Practices and Lifestyle of Amish Anabaptist Christians
Oct 9, 2008
Amish communities developed in Switzerland in 1693, under the tutelage of founder Jakob Ammann. In the early eighteenth century, Amish communities migrated to Pennsylvania to avoid racial and theological persecution.
Initiation into Church Membership
Amish church membership begins with baptism between the ages of 18 and 21.This ceremony is a requirement for marriage, and once a person has been baptised, they are required to marry within the faith. Church districts are on average families of 20 to 40.
The Rules of the Ordnung
The rules of the church (known as the Ordnung) are observed by every member. These rules cover most aspects of life, such as refusing electricity, limiting the use of telephones, prohibition of ownership and operation of an automobile, and wearing a specified style of dress.
Isolation from the Outside World
The Amish seek to limit contact with the outside world. They prefer to focus on church and familial relationships. They typically organise and run their own schools, and stop formal education at grade eight. Amish value a rural life, where a large family provides an abundance of manual labor. Because of intermarriage among this relatively small population, higher incidences of certain inheritable diseases occur.
Geography and Location of the Amish Population
The geographic and social isolation of Amish communities make it difficult to determine the total Amish population. The Amish are among the fastest-growing populations in the world, with an average of six to seven children per family.
Amish Ancestry
The Amish are united by a common Swiss/German ancestry, language and culture, and to remain as accepted Amish members they are required to marry within their church. Those who choose to live the plain lifestyle and join the church are considered Amish.
Amish Worship and Practices
The ‘Old Order’ Amish do not have church buildings, but hold worship services in private homes. Thus they are sometimes called House Amish. This may stem from early Anabaptist persecution, when it was deemed safer to practice worship in private buildings.
Familial Life and Society
Having children, raising them, and community socialising 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, not only during infancy and in youth, but throughout life.
The Amish Traditional Language
In addition to English, most Amish speak a distinctive dialect called Pennsylvania German (or Pennsylvania Dutch). Pennsylvania German is derived from German of the eighteenth century, along with a smattering of English.
The Practice of Wearing Traditional Simple Dress
The Amish prefer plain and simple dress, shunning buttons (which could prove ostentatious) in favour of hook and eye fastenings. In all things, the aesthetic value is plainness: clothing should not call attention to the wearer by cut, colour, or any other feature. Prints such as florals, stripes and polka-dots are not allowed in Amish dress.
Source:
Coleman, Bill. The Gift to be Simple: Life in Amish Country. Chronicle Books; 2001.
ISBN-10: 0811831183
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