The United States has a large concentration of Amish in Pennsylvania, and they’re often called Pennsylvania Dutch. This is in reference to where they’ve chosen to live and the language they speak amongst themselves. Continue reading to learn more about the culture, traditions, and history.
No Car
There were two divisions originating in Switzerland. The ones who followed Jakob Ammann became part of the Old Order Amish (Amish), but the second group was called Amish Mennonites. The latter can use motor vehicles, but the Old Order Amish only uses horse-and-buggy setups.
No Car
The Beards
Amish men use long and trimmed beards to symbolize manhood and marital status, but they also use them for humility. Interestingly, they can’t grow mustaches because those have been associated with the military, and Amish men can’t join such forces.
The Beards
The Believer’s Baptism
To start Amish church membership, the adults between 16 and 23 must have a baptism. This is required before they can get married, and it must be done through the church. Then, they have to marry inside the faith for it to be appropriate.
The Believer’s Baptism
Rules of the Ordnung
Instead of a bible, the Amish live by the Ordnung, which is a set of rules. They are reviewed two times a year by church members, and they outline daily living practices, dress codes, and limitations, such as no cars, phones, and power-line electricity.
Rules of the Ordnung
Fully Autonomous
The Ordnung is the strict rulebook that tells people how to live life, but they do differ based on the district. In fact, each Amish community is a different church. They set the rules that fit their community, but general rules apply in most districts.
Fully Autonomous
Rumspringa
Rumspringa is a rite of passage for Amish adolescents, and it generally happens between 14 and 16 years old. It allows the teenagers to explore the outside world without condemnation or “rule-breaking.” They then determine if they want to get baptized or leave their community.
Rumspringa
Marriages
Many people believe the Amish must go through an arranged marriage, but that’s not true. Both adults are baptized, and marrying outside the faith is prohibited. Otherwise, men and women choose who to marry, and proper courting is welcomed.
Marriages
Multilingual
Most Old Order Amish speak that Pennsylvania Dutch, but it doesn’t refer to the Dutch language. They also know how to speak English, making them bilingual. In fact, they kept speaking Pennsylvania Dutch to stay separated from German immigrants.
Multilingual
October Wedding Season
October is generally the wedding season for Amish communities because it’s after harvest. Weddings are the passage to adulthood, and the ceremonies are crucial within the Amish tradition because they symbolize community growth.
October Wedding Season
No Smoking and Alcohol
Alcohol consumption varies in Amish communities. This, smoking, and bed courtship are forbidden for the New Order Amish. However, Old Order communities aren’t so cut and dry. However, drinking isn’t really common at all.
No Smoking and Alcohol
Modest Clothes
The Amish wear plain and modest clothing, such as suits, wide-brimmed hats, and solid colors. Women wear muted dress colors, but bonnets signify their marital status. Clothing is hand-sewn, and Old Order Amish don’t use buttons.
Modest Clothes
Their Roots
Most Amish immigrated to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century because it didn’t persecute religion and had various land offers. Roughly 500 Amish migrated to North America from 1717 to 1750, moving to Berks County and relocating to Lancaster County.
Their Roots
Rules Before Marriage
Unmarried couples are actually encouraged to share a bed together, but there are stipulations. They must be wearing clothes and have a long wooden board between them to avoid physical intimacy before the marriage. This helps them test the waters before a huge commitment.
Rules Before Marriage
Tax Rules
Amish people must pay similar sales and property taxes as the rest of us, even though they don’t accept insurance and Social Security benefits. Therefore, the IRS exempted them from paying Social Security taxes in 1961 when the Amish were self-employed.
Tax Rules
Largest Population
Roughly 98 percent of the Amish live in the US, and the total population was 355,660 as of 2021. The Older Order Amish live in about 31 states, but most of them are in Pennsylvania (84,000). About 80,200 are in Ohio, and 61,000 are in Indiana.
Largest Population
8th Grade Education
There is no educational system past the 8th grade for the Amish because they believe people only need basic knowledge. It’s rare for an Amish person to attend high school and almost unheard of to go to college. Generally, the teachers come from the community.
8th Grade Education
Voting Rights
It’s rare for the Amish to vote in a presidential election, but they’re eligible to do so. Roughly 10 percent of the Amish population vote, and that’s only when something might directly affect them, such as zoning issues. Still, they abide by the law!
Voting Rights
Adhering to Pacifism
The Amish adhere to the Christian pacifism, which is why they’re against military involvement. Even in the early days in North America, they didn’t participate in warfare with the Native Americans. They focus on nonviolence, believing Jesus was a pacifist.
Adhering to Pacifism
Amish Dolls
The Amish use rag dolls for children’s toys in the Old Order. Most of them don’t have faces so that they’re alike in the eyes of God. Traditionally, they’re made with a sewing machine or by hand and feature traditional Amish clothing.
Amish Dolls
No Instruments
Amish people aren’t allowed to play any musical instruments because the tradition forbids it. However, there’s an exception to the rule. Harmonicas can be played, and singing is also generally allowed.
No Instruments
Amish Computers
Computers and all technology are forbidden in Amish communities, but there’s a special exception for one type. Allen Hoover created the Amish computer, that has limited functionality and is a machine for receipt and inventory tracking.
Amish Computers
Population Growth
The Amish population had 5,000 members in 1920, but it crossed to 128,150 in 1992. This is a 52.6 percent increase from 1984. In 2021, that population stood at 361,635, making it the fastest-growing population in the world! Each Amish family has seven kids!
Population Growth
Amish Furniture
Amish furniture is made entirely out of wood, and there’s no particle board or laminate. This skill is passed down through the generations. Since electricity isn’t used, the tools are often powered by pneumatics and hydraulics that run on diesel.
Amish Furniture
Total Isolation
The reason people don’t know much about the Amish is because they stay separated from people outside the faith and community. That’s why marriage with outsiders is forbidden. It would be too hard, seeing as the Amish are so isolated.
Total Isolation
Technological Exceptions
While technology isn’t allowed in Amish communities, there are a few exceptions. For example, the Kalona community has more relaxed rules within reason. Tractors can be used in the fields, but you can’t take them on the road to drive.
Technological Exceptions
No Wedding Rings
The Amish have a strict dress code, so wedding rings aren’t worn. They’re seen as a way to draw unnecessary attention to the person’s body, which could induce pride. Therefore, the bonnet color symbolizes that a woman is taken instead of the ring.
No Wedding Rings
Secret Engagements
It’s normal for those in the Amish community to keep their engagements private. Couples generally wait until August or July to tell their families they are engaged, and the family must stay quiet until October for the wedding season.
Secret Engagements
Wedding Attire
The Amish bride often wears a blue linen dress that is worn for other formal occasions in the future. They aren’t given a ring because the Ordnung forbids them to wear jewelry. Typically, weddings happen on Tuesdays or Thursdays from October through December.
Wedding Attire
Traditional Amish Food
Amish food is hearty, filling, nourishing, and simple. Dishes include soft pretzels, Dutch apple desserts, and beef and noodles. Scrapple, Shoofly pie, doughnuts, and chicken corn soup are also popular.
Traditional Amish Food
No Retirement Age
There’s no retirement age for the Amish community. Each person can determine if they want to retire and when. Generally, that happens anywhere from 50 to 70 years old, and the ones who do still live within the community and do housework.
No Retirement Age
Amish Baptism
Since the Amish are Anabaptists, they believe in waiting until adulthood instead of baptizing babies. This concept was born because following Jesus is a decision an adult should voluntarily make. Catholicism often requires baby baptisms, regardless of the parent’s decision.
Amish Baptism
No Photography
Though it’s not against their religion to be photographed, it’s forbidden to pose for them. Most Amish decline requests for photographs, but if you take pictures of them while they’re acting naturally, it’s not a problem. Attitudes are becoming more relaxed in this regard.
No Photography
Frolic Barn Raising
Barn raising is a huge event in the Amish community. Most people call it a frolic because the work is balanced with socializing. Raising a barn symbolizes hard work and community and is the visual reminder of how mutual aid benefits everyone.
Frolic Barn Raising
High Retention Rate
The retention rate for the Amish is very high. This might be because the community focuses on communal support and family values. Therefore, people don’t want to leave because they don’t feel oppressed. Roughly 90 percent of kids born into the community stay there.
High Retention Rate
Contact with the Modern World
Connectivity and contact are more normal now, so those communities that kept to themselves are currently dealing with more modernity and people. The New Order Amish have taken to using pagers and cell phones, but Old Order Amish still refrain.
Contact with the Modern World
Not Many Choices
The Amish are required to marry within the community, which is limiting. Though you can’t marry a first cousin, it’s possible to marry a second cousin. Lancaster County doesn’t allow marrying a “Schwartz” cousin, which is your first cousin once removed.
Not Many Choices
Highly Exclusive
Most religions want to recruit new members, but that’s not true for the Amish. They reject evangelism and make it tough to join their community from the outside. Many times, people who support the Amish aren’t actually allowed to enter.
Highly Exclusive
Non-Amish English
People outside the Amish community are called English. That’s not done to be rude; it’s just the way they differentiate from the outside world. Many Amish trust English neighbors as points of contact during an emergency.
Non-Amish English
No Paintings or Pictures
The Amish cannot pose for a photograph or any other physical representation of themselves, such as in paintings and films. They have the rule because it promotes vanity and individualism, which goes against the humility and community aspect.
No Paintings or Pictures
Dating Life
Courting can start at 16 years old, and Amish youth often socialize at frolics, sewing bees, weddings, and Sunday evening sing. On that day, the young man dresses nicely and mingles after the event at roughly 10 p.m. He then takes the girl home in his courting buggy.
Dating Life