Beru si za manžela Amiše: Žijí bez chytrých telefonů, sociálních sítí a často i bez elektřiny. Amišové si dodnes zachovali způsob života připomínající minulá staletí
If a Czech woman decided to marry an Amish man, it wouldn't just mean marrying a man from another country. It would mean entering a world that operates according to completely different rules. A world where success is not measured by career, luxury cars, or the number of social media followers, but by how one cares for family, neighbors, and the community.
People Who Chose to Live Differently
The history of the Amish began in Europe. Their roots trace back to Switzerland at the end of the 17th century, when under the leadership of Jakob Ammann, a religious community emphasizing simplicity, discipline, and separation from the outside world was formed. Later, many families moved to North America, where they found a space to live by their own rules, writes Discover Lancaster. Today, they primarily live in the American states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Although modern cities have grown around them, they have maintained a way of life that in many ways resembles past centuries.
The Amish believe that modern society overly promotes individualism, competitiveness, and the desire to stand out. In contrast, they emphasize humility, simplicity, and a sense of community. This is precisely why they remain one of the most fascinating communities in the world for many people.
A Community with Its Own Rules
The life of the Amish is not only governed by religious commandments but also by a set of unwritten rules that determine the functioning of the entire community. Each church district comprises approximately twenty to thirty families and is led by a bishop along with ministers and a deacon. Services are not held in churches but directly in the homes of community members, with individual families taking turns in hosting them regularly. An interesting aspect is that new ministers in many communities are not chosen by voting or appointment. Their selection is often decided by drawing lots, which the Amish regard as an expression of God's will. Each district may have slightly different rules.
Caring for Parents and the Secret to Longevity
One value that the Amish consider exceptionally important is respect for the older members of the family. Unlike in modern society, where many seniors spend their last years in social service facilities, the Amish care for their parents and grandparents at home. Multiple generations often live in close proximity, and helping the elderly is considered a natural part of family life.
The scientists were interested in their closed way of life. Since many families have lived for generations in relatively isolated communities, they have become interesting subjects for genetic research. Scientists have discovered genetic variants in some Amish that may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and increased longevity.
However, experts point out that genetics are not the only factor behind their good health. Daily physical activity, physical labor, being outdoors, strong family ties, and limited exposure to many negative influences of modern lifestyle play a significant role.
A World Without Internet and Constant Hustle
For most people today, a mobile phone is an inseparable part of life. However, the Amish view technology completely differently. Many communities reject electricity from the public grid, television, the internet, or personal automobiles. Not because they consider technology evil, but because they fear its impact on family relationships and community life. Every innovation is assessed based on whether it connects or divides people. That's why in Amish areas, you can still encounter horses and buggies, which are one of the most famous symbols of their way of life.
Some communities do use gasoline engines or certain technical devices in their work, but everything is subject to strict rules. The aim is not to fight against progress, but to preserve values they consider more important than convenience.
Clothing that speaks not of fashion, but of faith
You can recognize the Amish at first glance. Clothing is not a matter of trends but part of their beliefs.
Men wear simple trousers, shirts, vests, and hats. After marriage, they grow beards, which become a symbol of a married man. Interestingly, mustaches are not worn in many communities because they were once associated with the military.
Women wear long dresses, an apron, and a bonnet or headscarf. They do not cut their hair and keep it hidden under a head covering. They do not use noticeable makeup, wear jewelry, piercings, or tattoos. Even details that we consider commonplace may be undesirable in the Amish world. Some communities have avoided decorative buttons for years, considering them a symbol of vanity or military uniforms.
Family is the Center of Life
If there is something that the Amish consider their greatest treasure, it is family. It is not uncommon for couples to raise seven, eight, or even ten children. Children are seen as a blessing and a natural part of married life. Multiple generations often live close to each other, and grandparents play a significant role in upbringing. Strong family ties are among the main reasons why young people remain in the community after a period of exploring the world.
How Does an Amish Person Fall in Love?
If a Czech woman found herself in an Amish community, she would quickly realize that dating is entirely different from the world of social media and mobile apps, writes The Amish Village. Young Amish people begin forming more serious relationships around the age of sixteen. They don't look for partners online, but during social gatherings, family visits, church events, or traditional singing evenings. Sunday singing gatherings are among the most popular events for young people. Boys and girls from various communities gather in homes or barns, where they sing religious songs together. Between the songs, they chat, get to know each other, and form new friendships. After the singing ends, homemade pastries, cakes, and drinks are served. If a boy takes a liking to a particular girl, he may offer her a ride home in a horse-drawn carriage. It is often during such journeys that the story of future spouses begins.
In many communities, courtship even begins with the young man asking the girl's father for permission to get to know his daughter better. The following months are not spent alone, but mostly in the company of family and community. Courtship does not serve as casual entertainment. Its goal is to determine whether two young people are so close that they can create a strong marriage together. Since divorce is practically not allowed in the Amish world, choosing a partner is taken very seriously.
A Time When the Young Can Experience the World
One of the most well-known Amish traditions is rumspringa, writes Bird in Hand. Starting around the age of sixteen, young people are given the opportunity to explore the world outside the community. They can visit cities, use modern technology, drive cars, dress according to current fashion, or spend time with people outside the Amish environment. It is during this period that they decide whether to get baptized and become full members of the community. Without baptism, an Amish person cannot marry. Surprisingly, most eventually choose to return.
When Someone Decides to Leave
Although most young Amish people decide to return to the community after the period of rumspringa, not everyone makes the same decision. Some realize after their first contact with the modern world that they want to live differently. Leaving the community, however, is not just a matter of changing addresses or jobs. It means leaving a way of life that one has known since childhood and learning to navigate a world full of technology, rules, and opportunities, which they have only encountered marginally until then.
The conflict between the traditional Amish world and modern society has become the subject of several films and television stories. Many readers may recall the film Amish Abduction, which appeared in 2019 and captivated audiences with a thrilling story set against the backdrop of the Amish community.
The main heroine is a woman named Annie, who remains faithful to the traditional way of life. However, her husband decides to leave the community and start a new life among regular Americans, whom the Amish often refer to as "English." What initially seems like a personal decision of one individual gradually turns into a dramatic family conflict. After some time, the former husband returns and tries to gain custody of their son. The desire for the child turns into a dangerous obsession, and the story takes on a thriller dimension. Although the film is not a documentary about Amish life, it very well illustrates the vast differences between the world of the traditional community and modern society.
Although most Amish families never experience such dramatic situations, the issue of leaving the community is among the most sensitive topics. When one partner decides to remain faithful to traditions and the other longs for a completely different life, it can significantly affect not only the marriage but also the future of the entire family.
Marriage as a Ticket to Adulthood
In the Amish world, a wedding is not just a romantic culmination of a relationship. It is one of the most significant milestones in life and a symbolic entry into adulthood. Marriage is closely tied to faith, family, and community. Therefore, an outsider cannot simply marry an Amish person without adopting their way of life and becoming part of the community. Divorce is not allowed in most communities. That is why the decision to enter into marriage is considered a lifelong commitment.
Secret Engagements No One Knows About
While modern couples announce their engagements on social media, the Amish keep their happiness to themselves. Some couples keep their engagements secret for months. Even extended relatives often learn about the upcoming wedding only shortly before the big day.
Experienced neighbors, however, can reportedly sense a wedding. If a family starts painting the house, preparing the farm, or growing a larger amount of celery, it may indicate an upcoming wedding. Celery, surprisingly, plays a significant role in Amish weddings.
A Wedding Prepared by the Whole Community
An Amish wedding is not just a celebration of two people. It is an event for the entire community.
From the initial preparations to the final cleanup, neighbors, relatives, and friends get involved. In some areas, it's not unusual for multiple couples to get married around the same time, so the entire community experiences the wedding season together, reports Ohio's Amish Country.
Preparations do not take place through the internet or apps. Everything is organized personally, through discussions, visits, and mutual assistance. Traditionally, weddings take place from autumn to early spring when there is less work on farms. They most commonly occur on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Families need one day for preparation and another for cleaning up, with Sunday remaining a day of rest. The big day begins early in the morning and can last until late in the evening.
Bride in Blue
One of the biggest peculiarities of Amish weddings is the bride's dress, reports Amish Farm and House.
White is not the traditional choice. Brides often sew their own dresses and most commonly choose blue or purple shades. These dresses then serve not only for the wedding day. The woman wears them during other significant events and holiday services as well.
Bridesmaids and other members of the wedding procession are also color-coordinated. The bride chooses the colors, and everything is characterized by simplicity and humility.
A Ceremony Without Photographers and Without a Kiss
The ceremony itself is long and can last several hours. It takes place in the home of a community member or another venue capable of accommodating hundreds of guests. Some ceremonies are held in German or in the traditional dialect that the Amish speak among themselves. Interestingly, the bride and groom traditionally do not see each other on the wedding day until the moment of the ceremony. You won't find a wedding photographer, cameraman, or a romantic kiss following the exchange of vows here. Public displays of affection simply don't fit into their traditions. In most communities, the couple does not exchange rings. The symbol of a married man becomes the beard, which he grows after the wedding and wears for life.
Feast for Hundreds of Guests
After the ceremony, it's time for the feast. Since 400 to 600 guests may attend the wedding, temporary shelters or large tents are often set up. Guests usually eat in groups, as it's not possible to seat everyone at once. The tables are adorned with roasted chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, homemade bread, cakes, doughnuts, fruit, and traditional celery dishes. Celery is considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity. It's used not only in dishes but also as part of the decoration. Unlike Slovak weddings, there is no dancing. However, this doesn't mean the celebration is boring. The entire day is filled with conversations, singing, social games, and family gatherings. In some communities, wedding activities like volleyball are popular. During the feast, newlyweds often walk around personally distributing small sweet gifts to guests. It's a way to thank everyone who came to celebrate their big day.
Life After Marriage
After the wedding, newlyweds do not expect exotic honeymoons or romantic stays by the sea. Many couples help with the cleanup after the celebration the next day. In the first months, they often live with the bride's or groom's parents until they create their own home. An interesting tradition is also visiting community members in the following weeks and dining with them. These visits help strengthen relationships and at the same time, allow newlyweds to receive blessings and good wishes from the people with whom they will live their entire lives.
The Secret to Health That Interests Scientists
The Amish fascinate experts not only with their lifestyle but also with their health status. Researchers have noticed for some time that various civilization diseases occur significantly less frequently in many Amish communities than in the general population. They less often struggle with obesity, diabetes, or other problems associated with modern lifestyles, writes The Amish Experience.
One reason might be their daily routine. Most of the food comes from their own fields, gardens, and farms. Fresh ingredients, home-grown vegetables, fruits, dairy products, or meat from their own livestock dominate the tables. Equally important is physical activity. Life on a farm means daily physical work, taking care of the farm, and many activities in the fresh air.
Could you live like the Amish?
Marrying into the Amish community means much more than just changing your last name. It means embracing a life without many modern conveniences, learning to function in a strong community, and subordinating personal ambitions to common values. For some, this would be an unimaginable limitation. For others, however, such a life might represent an escape from a hectic world full of stress, constant comparisons, and dependence on technology.
That is why the Amish fascinate people around the world. While modern society constantly races forward, they prove that happiness can be found in simplicity. In family, honest work, neighborhood relations, and values that have withstood the test of time.
Source: author's text, Discover Lancaste, Amish Village, Bird-in-Hand, Ohio Amish Country, The Amish Village, Amish Farm and House, The Amish Experience, IMDb – Amish Abduction (2019).
