Known as America’s ‘plain people’, the Amish are a private, secluded culture that value strong family ties along with a deep religious faith. They are perceived as ‘backwards’ people in modern culture, when in reality they have a very rich history and are relatively misunderstood. Here are some facts you may not have known about the Amish.
They have been Americans longer than most
Amish started coming to the United States in the 18th century to flee from religious persecution from the British government. They were established as a religion during 17th-century schism from the Anabaptist church, where Swiss preacher Jakob Amman called for strict, direct adherence of the bible. The term “Amish” comes from his last name.
They are not ‘Dutch’
Known as the Pennsylvania-Dutch as the majority settled in Pennsylvania, the Amish are not dutch at all. Dutch is the Americanized version of “deutsch,” meaning ‘German’. The Amish people can ethnically trace their background to the Germanic peoples, but the language they speak today has been altered due to their isolation.
They’re growing
The Amish are one of the largest growing populations in the nation. Their population has risen from just 5,000 in 1920, to over 300,000 today. In 1984, there were only 84,000, so their growth rate has tripled in 30 years.
The peaceful people
Amish are and have historically been pacifists. Because of this, the United States Congress has exempted them from military service.
Not modernized
The Amish center their life on the “Ordnung,” a list of rules that must be followed in each community. Most Amish groups forbid the owning and usage of cars, computers, televisions, phones, and self-propelled farming technology. This is because they believe technology has the power to distract oneself from the family unit, which is the most important aspect of their lives after religion.
Known for their Amish furniture
Amish all over the nation have been producing high-quality Amish furniture for generations, but it gained popular attention in the 1920s. Every piece of furniture is handcrafted, whether it be Amish barns, cedar sheds, or an Amish built garage. To fabricate their furniture, they use either oak, cherry, hickory, walnut, or maple wood to ensure longevity.
Because of their dedication to perfection, you will not regret investing in Amish furniture. Contact Amish Mike today and pick up a piece of your own!