What can one say about people who live without electricity? Without telephones. Without gadgets. Without cars. Without colleges. And far worse: without Facebook.
And do so WILLINGLY.
Nuts? Medieval? Ahead of the times? Just different?
The contrast is made starker by the fact that such a place can exist in the heart of individualistic, consumerist America. In this time and age. Today. Now. As i write. And as you read.
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, in Lancaster County. Situated about two hours by train from Philadelphia, i decided to take a weekend out to experience this fascinating, intriguing place.
This is where the Amish people live. They are a traditional Christian group, epitomized by a lifestyle which is very simple and traditional, and shuns most modern technology and conveniences.
Some of the choices and practices they undertake are likely to shake up most of us-
Sample a few-
• A photograph might lead to vanity. That could take one away from collectivism. So, no photographs. Selfies, not a chance
• Consumer goods make people run after gadgetry. And get into a race to acquire more and more. And will make people reluctant to do manual labour. So, shun them.
• Families are good. More the numbers in a family, the better. Family is central. Bringing and nurturing them in a community environment is the core to living the Amish life. Larger families means more community participation. Contraception is shunned.
• Simple way of life has to show in dressing as well. Clothes should serve a functional, and not a fashion purpose. Hence, no cheques or stripes or florals. Wear only solid colours.
• Self reliance is good. Grow your own food. Live within the community. So no need to claim social security (something which everyone in America does)
• Violence is bad. Non-resistance is to be practiced. So no military service.
• Submit to nature. Follow a healthy life style. Work hard. By doing so, health will remain good. If there are any health issues, they can be taken care of locally using traditional remedies. Hence, no medical insurance is necessary. However, many in the Lancaster County participate in Church Aid, a self-insurance plan, which operates quite informally.
While at Lancaster, I undertook a tour of the place and strolled around for a couple of days, trying to soak in the very unique place. The Amish are very mild, and generally avoid outsiders.
Large farms, horses, livestock are common sights. Horse buggies and wagons are the usual mode of transport. Farming, rearing animals, stitching, small mechanical repairs are the major activities.
The Sunday church congregation is core to the feeling of community. And it is the most important event of the week and is much more of a social event than a religious event. As I was there on a Sunday, I saw several processions of buggies crisscrossing the landscape.
All outsiders, are referred to as ‘English’.
The Amish speak Dutch German, but also know English because it is the medium of instruction in school.
Community Schools are the only providers of education. These are typically one room schools, which provide education for children together up-to Grade-8. There are some teachers, but also the elder kids teach the younger ones. The Amish feel no more education is required beyond Grade-8 to practice a life which is in synch with their practices and values. So Amish education stops at grade-8, when the children are around 13-14 years old.
As is to be expected, some people find it difficult to carry on this kind of a lifestyle. Especially youngsters. Especially if you are living in twenty-first century America.
There are people who have moved out of the ‘Amish way’ of life to the ‘English way’. My buggy driver for the Amish heritage tour is one of them. She is in her 30s, and makes a living organizing tours of Amish county for tourists. The biggest risk in making such a choice is that families can face ostracization. Fortunately for her, her father supported her in the decision and moved out of the Amish community as well. Even then, they still follow many of the Amish customs and traditions. There have been quite a few instances of Amish people running away and starting a new life, especially on the West Coast. Hollywood and American TV has also cashed in on some of that.
Like all other people, there have been conflicts too. At times, conflicts between subgroups have led to "beard cutting" attacks on some members. However, these complaints are rarely brought to the local police.
All this adds up to the mystique of this very unique set of people, who, through their choices, give to us the simple lesson that one can continue to lead a happy, healthy life by just sticking to basics and that even in today’s world, there is an alternate way possible.
