Lithuania met with members of an isolated community: we are not surviving COVID-19 at all

5 unusual life rules

When I came to study in the United States last year, I settled in the small town of New Albany, Ohio. I was immediately struck by the horse-drawn carriages on the streets and the people sitting in them, in uniforms that were unusual for us.

I became increasingly interested in who they were: it was a Christian community that emerged in the 17th century. at the end of the 19th century in Switzerland, but currently it only exists in the United States and Canada. In total, almost 350 thousand in the world, more than 76 thousand in the state of Ohio.

What is characteristic of Amish families and what are the strict rules based on their daily life? First of all, they do not use electricity and, at the same time, devices that are common to us, such as televisions or telephones. From their point of view, the outside world is completely opposed to Christian values ​​and they don’t want to participate in sin. Kerosene lamps or candles are used to light the house.

They don’t use cars either. The main vehicle is a horse-drawn carriage called “Horse and Buggy”. It is part of the culture of this community. In his opinion, the horse-drawn carriage promotes a slower pace of life. Larger supermarkets, like Walmart, even have dedicated horse carriages.

Third, photographs or other captures of your images are prohibited. The Amish say they want those around them to remember them for the kind of life they lived, not for their physical appearance. Humility is a very important value in the Amish community and they believe that personal photos can emphasize individuality and draw attention to oneself. Furthermore, they believe the photos violate Biblical regulations.

The fourth is the distinctive appearance of the Amish. They sew clothes at home, from plain fabrics, and generally come in dark colors. The Amish clothing style shows distance from the world and is a practical expression of their faith.

In winter men wear black felt hats and in summer straw hats. Women don’t cut their hair and always wear white hats. Wearing jewelry is unacceptable.

Finally, the beard is mandatory for men and the mustache is prohibited. Amish men do not shave their beards after the wedding and this demonstrates their masculinity and, at the same time, humility. Mustaches are prohibited. They are considered an ornament, and the Amish cannot stand out from each other. Furthermore, the Amish’s mustaches are associated with the military, and their community is pacifist, condemning any war or violence.

God and family are paramount

These Amish rules of life only piqued even more curiosity, and after months of searching, they finally managed to meet a family in this community. It certainly wasn’t very easy, as the Amish didn’t let strangers in and tell little about their lives, but this Amish family was extremely friendly and met the host family I stayed with during my exchange year.

This family lives in one of the Amish neighborhoods in Bladensburg, Ohio. Most here have large tracts of land, and the houses are built away from the main roads. As soon as you enter the house, it is like moving into the past. Inside, certainly not the way we’re used to: all furniture is made of wood, no smart technology or devices, kerosene lamps or candles are in every room, and the Bible is always placed on the table.

The only technical miracle is the large clocks hanging on the wall, which ring loudly and announce the hours.

“Today there are so many evils in the world that we avoid. That way we can be closer to God, “Andis, the head of the family he visited, said in an interview with Delfi.

– What is the reason for your lifestyle? Why do you have to follow all these rules and distance yourself from the current world full of all kinds of possibilities and new inventions?

– I think we have to live as God created us. We are very religious and take seriously the commandments of the Bible to distance ourselves from worldly things, including electricity, machinery, and all other things. There are so many evils in the world these days that we avoid. In that way we can be closer to God.

– What language do you communicate with each other?

– We speak a German dialect in Pennsylvania, which is very similar to German. This happened because in the 18th century around 81 thousand. German speakers from Central Europe migrated to southeastern Pennsylvania. Our second language is English, which we generally learn at school.

– What are Amish schools like?

– These are single room schools where our children are taught through eighth grade. Children are generally taught by a single young woman. Eight classes are enough to be successful in our community. We believe that school is only part of the learning necessary to prepare for the adult world. After school, the children stay home and help work.

– You yourself are raising 11 children. Is it typical for all Amish to have such large families?

– The Amish family has an average of 7-9 children. We believe it is God’s blessing and we have as many children as God gives us. We had seven daughters, one of whom died last summer of a brain tumor. We currently raise five girls and four boys, the other two boys live alone with their families a few kilometers from our home.

– How do you raise your children? What values ​​are most important to you?

– We have been getting our kids used to hard work from an early age. Everyone gets up very early. Everyone has to do their assigned farm or household chores.

We also teach how to love God. Our most important values ​​are God and the family. You must remain living with your family until you are married.

– How do you win the life?

– Our family has many animals, we also grow fruits and vegetables and sell them to people. Community members often build houses or have their own personal stores that sell homemade food, wooden furniture, or other items.

– What is the daily life and leisure of the Amish family like?

– We have very little free time because we need a lot of work. The whole family gets up at 4 in the morning and works until late at night. Every Sunday we go to Amish church, and when there is a little more free time, sometimes we play cards, read books, visit other Amish families, go fishing. Tomorrow we will wait for my daughter to come and celebrate her birthday. Usually we make homemade ice creams and bring the whole family together.

– Is it possible to join your community and live a normal life for yourself if you were not born into an Amish family?

– Yes, as long as you follow all the rules we live by. But it should be very difficult.

– What is your opinion on the global COVID-19 virus?

– We don’t survive at all. Until now, no one in our community is sick, and even if they did, we would take care of each other. Our community is very close and we help each other as much as we can.