[Sonador101]

Hi, I am writing a series of books about a young amish girl in 1884. However I need some information on how amish lived, their traditions and customs, etc. I want to be true to there culture and not get anything wrong.
If anyone has any information I would love it.

[ScottGem]

Have you tried googling?

[N0help4u]

Here is a search engine that might help
If you have any specific ?'s I might be able to answer them
old amish traditions and culture - Google Search

[firmbeliever]

Amish Country | Ohio | Visitor Information

AMISH LIFESTYLE FACTS News

A Confusion of Identities | Amana Colonies

THE AMISH: History in the U.S. and Canada

Hopefully one of these links will be helpful.:)

[N0help4u]

This was on religioustolerance.org

* Language: Members usually speak a German dialect called Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch). High German is used during worship. They learn English at school.
* Education: Schools are one-room buildings run by the Amish. Formal education beyond Grade 8 is discouraged, although many youth are given further instruction in their homes after graduation.
* Appearance: Men follow the laws of the Hebrew Scriptures with regards to beards. They do not grow mustaches, because of the long association of mustaches with the military.
* Clothing: Men usually dress in a plain, dark colored suit. Women usually wear a plain colored dress with long sleeves, bonnet and apron. Women wear a white prayer covering if married; black if single. Brides' gowns are often blue or purple.
* Modern conveniences:
O Vehicles: With very few exceptions, Old Order Amish congregations do not allow the owning or use of automobiles or farm tractors. However, they will ride in cars when needed.
O Electrical devices: They do not use electricity, or have radios, TV sets, personal computers, computer games, etc.
O Telephones: In-home telephones are not normally allowed. Some families have a phone remote from the house.
* Government programs: Most Amish groups do not collect Social Security/Canada Pension Plan benefits, unemployment insurance or welfare. They maintain mutual aid funds for members who need help with medical costs, dental bills, etc.
* Photography: They do not take photographs or allow themselves to be photographed. To do so would be evidence of vanity and pride. Also, it might violate the prohibition in Exodus 20:4, the second of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that...is in the earth..."
* Marriage: Marriages outside the faith are not allowed. Couples who plan to marry are "published" in late October. They are married in one of their homes during November or early December.
* Days of Celebration: They celebrate the traditional Christian holy days. They also observe a Fast Day on October 11.
* Religious services: These are held biweekly on alternate Sundays. One the "in-between" Sundays, members often attend another congregation's service, or visit friends or family. Services consist of singing, two prayers, Bible reading, a short opening sermon, and a main sermon. Each baptized male then offers a comment on the biblical correctness of the sermons.
* Communion services: These are held twice yearly, in the spring and fall. Before the service, a council meeting is held in which the attendees resolve any disagreements that they have with each other. They also discuss matters regarding proper lifestyle and conduct.
* Meeting places: Services are usually held in the homes of members. As a rule, they do not build meeting houses or churches. One source speculates that this practice may have been done "...out of frugality, perhaps out of necessity, or perhaps to emphasize that people (and not the building were really the church..."
* Funerals: These are conducted in the home without a eulogy, flower decorations, or other display. The casket is plain, without adornment. At death, a woman is usually buried in her bridal dress. A simple tombstone is erected after burial.
* Rumspringa: Some Amish groups practice a tradition called rumspringa ("running around"). Teens aged 16 and older are allowed some freedom in behavior. It is a interval of a few years while they remain living at home, yet are somewhat released from the intense supervision of their parents. Since they have not yet been baptized, they have not committed to follow the extremely strict behavioral restrictions and community rules imposed by the religion. Depending upon the behavioral rules of their particular community, they may be allowed to date, go out with their friends, visit the outside world, go to parties, drink alcoholic beverages, wear jeans, etc. The intent of rumspringa is to make certain that youth are giving their informed consent if they decide to be baptized. About 80% to 90% decide to remain Amish.

The media have generally given an unbalanced portrayal of rumspringa. They typically concentrate on that small minority of youth who decide to leave their tradition. For example:
O On 2002-MAY-30, Cinemax's "Reel Life" documentary series featured "Devil's Playground." A Pittsburgh reviewer commented that: "...viewers learn that 90 percent of Amish teens ultimately choose to commit themselves to the Amish community and church, but the bulk of the film is spent chronicling the lives of teens who make the opposite choice."
O On 2004-JUL-22, the series "Amish in the City" debuted. Five Amish teens were given a rude reception by six city kids at a large house that they all shared in Los Angeles. Two of the Amish youth, Ruth and Mose said that they did not feel that they were being exploited by the show. But Mose commented: "If they still take us back after we have been on national television, they will take us back whatever we do."
O On 2008-JUN-24. ABC News broadcast a documentary titled: "Primetime: The Outsiders" at 10 PM. It concerned a group of four Amish teens from central Ohio engaged in Rumspringa. One decided to return to Amish life; one went to jail for burning a buggy; one decided to leave the Amish tradition; one was undecided.
* Slavery: In the early years of the movement, there are no records of any Amish family owning slaves, even though this was a common practice among "The English" (non-Amish) in Pennsylvania until the late 18th century. However, some families did purchase redemptioners. These were skilled European immigrants who had no money with which to pay for their trip to the New World. They promised to work for a family for a defined number of years in exchange for the cost of their passage.

[Sonador101]

Thanks a ton nohelp4u,
That is really helpful, if I need any more answers I will come to you/

[twinkiedooter]

I live in Amish country in Ohio. Every day I see horse drawn wagons or buggies on the roadways with cars. They even have hitching posts at Walmart and Aldi's just for their horses. They shop in the stores like you and I buying staples and not fancy prepackaged food. Riding on the 2 lane roads you can always tell which house has an Amish family in it as there are no electric lines connected to the house. They use natural gas refrigerators and gas lights. They can use natural gas but don't have things like gasoline powered lawn mowers or tractors. They plow and harvest their crops using horses. I grew up in Penna Dutch (I'm Penna Dutch myself) country but my great great grandparents quit the Amish life and became Mennonites instead. They are not so strict and own cars and use electric in their homes. They are great carpenters and woodworkers. Their solid oak furniture is sought after due to the quality of the workmanship involved and can command high prices. The Penna Dutch paint Hexes on their barns to protect their animals. Google Penna Dutch hex signs and you will see a variety of beautiful designs. The dystilfink is a mythical bird that is quite colorful and used a lot on barns. The hex designs can indicate blessings upon the occupants. The Amish have the barn raisings and home raisings where they all pitch in as a community and build another brother a new barn or a new house. This was quite common in Penna in the 1800's to get the newlyweds their home and barn started. In all the time I have observed them and their kids (dressed in miniature replicas of mom and dad's clothing) they have always been quiet and well mannered. The kids never sass the parents or run around the stores. They are quite interesting to observe in their buggies on the backroads going to town to get supplies or to visit each other. They love to visit each other and are quite a close community of gentle souls.