How the Mennonites live, a community disconnected from the modern world

Sometimes we focus so much on our daily lives that we end up forgetting that there are people who live reality in a completely different way than we do. An extreme case in this sense is that of the Mennonites, a Christian religious community that emerged in the 16th century in Europe, around the same time as the Protestant Reformation. The group follows a peculiar lifestyle, quite religious, linked to land use and, for some, frozen in time. Mennonites have large families, are not allowed to drive cars, and use electricity as little as possible.

O awesome.club researched more about the lifestyle of this community to share its most curious and interesting details with you.

It is very easy to confuse the two groups because, in reality, they have many similarities. However, one cannot speak of both as a single community. The Amish emerged from the Mennonite church but split in the 17th century as they believed the original Mennonites were not following religious principles properly. The term “amish” derives from the name of its founder, the Swiss Jakob Amman.

Mennonites, on the other hand, are a little more open to the outside world, having, for example, less restrictions on the use of certain technologies. In addition, they wear clothes a little more similar to modern clothing while the group founded by Amman wears more characteristic and traditional attire.

The community originated in 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland. As in the case of the Amish, the term indicating the religious movement derives from the name of its founder, in this case Menno Simons, a priest and pacifist leader of the Anabaptist movement who formed his own religious group. He was sure that submitting to the authority of the Bible and rejecting the rulers and the Catholic Church was the only way to deliver people from temptations. Following in their footsteps, other people proclaimed themselves Anabaptists (rebaptized), preaching baptism in adulthood, since, at this stage, people could already have a firmer criterion to choose, make a commitment and lead their lives according to the Word. God’s.

Persecuted by the authorities, the Mennonites soon began moving from one country to another in the hope of finding a suitable place to live in peace, in keeping with their beliefs. The first region where they settled was Prussia — territory now occupied by Germany, Poland and some other countries.

After years, many moved to Russian territory, where, again, they faced difficult conditions. The local government began to require them to abandon certain customs and beliefs, as well as forcing them to do military service. Many refused and moved to Canada. Over time, the Mennonite community grew and established itself in countries in America and Europe.

But what are the customs and way of life of the Mennonites? We will explain now.

the language is the plautdietsch, a dialect of German. Some had to learn to speak Spanish or another language in order to communicate in certain countries and work—Bolivia is one of the countries that has a large Mennonite community. Men have to go out to do their activities in the countryside and women must stay at home taking care of their children and household chores. Therefore, it is difficult for the Mennonites to speak or learn another language.

The houses are generally spacious and consist of a domestic workshop, a shed for tractors and tools that are used in agricultural activities, as well as a special area for animals. Some Mennonites, in addition to farming, also work in carpentry. On the other hand, there is always a pantry in a place where the sun doesn’t shine very much so that food stays fresh. In some cases, families also have an orchard and a special area with plantations of various trees.

The dwellings are usually large, to accommodate the large number of members a family can have. There is not, among the Mennonites, a recommendation regarding the maximum number of children. So they have between 8 and 12, mainly because they consider them a blessing and they need manpower for the field.

The woman is responsible for making the clothes for the whole family. The only things they don’t produce are shoes or hats, characteristic of the group. When they attend church, they usually wear plain, simple, dark-colored, somewhat long dresses. On other days, they wear flowery clothes.

Single women wear a white scarf or do not cover their hair. Married women’s scarves are black. In the case of men, the characteristic clothes are overalls and simple or plaid shirts. Children dress the same way as their parents, but in generally lighter colors.

The kitchen is the main gathering space for Mennonite families. It is also the area where women work. So, often this space has a sewing machine.

From Monday to Saturday, Mennonites get up early to start work. Sunday is dedicated to services, rest and family gatherings.

As for education, children between the ages of five and 12 are taught to read, write and have basic math classes. Most of the learning, however, is based on the Bible and the Mennonite catechism. At school, they are not separated by age. Everyone has classes in the same room and the older ones are accommodated in the front so that the little ones learn to respect them. Girls are also taught to develop household chores from an early age.

After reaching a certain educational level, children must follow in their parents’ footsteps to learn to do their work in the field or at home. From an early age, little ones help adults with their tasks.

Baptism is performed at age 18, because it is at this stage that, according to the Mennonites, people already have the conscience to make a commitment before God and their group. Furthermore, they are already aware of the importance of belonging to the Mennonite community. In the ritual, everyone vows to follow the group’s rules for the rest of their lives.

Before the ceremony, people must go to confession with a bishop and meditate for 8 days on the bad deeds they committed during their lives. Baptisms are performed with water so that individuals can be washed from all their sins. Events are held only on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. After the ceremony, the newly baptized receive bread and wine as a representation of the body and blood of Christ. Being baptized is a requirement for getting married.

Mennonite courtships are very different from people who are not part of that religion. Girls can start being courted from the age of 15 or 16 and receive gifts from their suitors. The couple can only see each other on Thursdays and Sundays from 8pm to 10pm and must stay at the bride’s house. The relationship lasts until both feel ready to be engaged and married. If the relationship ends, the woman is obliged to return the gifts she received.

The man formally establishes the commitment and the wedding expenses are borne by the bride’s father. The groom also receives a dowry of cows, utensils, household furniture and is supported by his parents with an amount sufficient to start his new life.

At the wedding, women wear a black dress, considered the most elegant and formal color. Men also wear a black suit and shirt. Preparations for the wedding begin on a Saturday, when the bride and groom meet with friends over breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Sunday, they attend a mass and, throughout the week, they visit their relatives to introduce them to their partner. The following Sunday, the official ceremony takes place.

Men become the heads of the home and their women must be submissive to them. Your duty, according to the rules, is to serve and care for your children. Husbands are responsible for providing food and everything needed for the family. Single women must live with their parents until they are married. Mennonites believe that marriage is a lifelong commitment. If they are widowed, remarriage is permitted without the need for any mourning period.

When a person from the Mennonite community dies, a bed of wet sand is made on the floor and covered with a cloth. The body is placed on top and, to preserve it, ice is placed around it. This allows it to be veiled for three days — and only during the day, since at night everyone goes to rest. Afterwards, a mass is said and the person is buried dressed in white. Mennonites generally do not place crosses or tombstones, only a large, flat stone indicating the name and dates of birth and death.

Their diet is very varied and balanced. After all, although Mennonites buy some products in communities close to the regions where they live, most of the products they consume are produced by themselves. This includes ham, bacon, pork chops, fresh vegetables, cheeses, butter, whole wheat bread or oatmeal, chickpeas, lentils and fruit jams. All houses have a wood stove, which serves to cook and, at the same time, keep the property warm during the winter.

Mennonites are allowed to use electricity, only on occasions when it is very necessary and justified. For example, a community member told the BBC that to communicate with suppliers, group members use a cell phone at work. But the equipment is not state-of-the-art and does not have sophisticated functions. Also, Mennonites do not have television, radio, or the Internet at home.

For lighting, group members use candles or oil lamps. They bathe in bathtubs and do not have a shower. The water is heated with firewood. The only music they listen to is religious. For their daily commute, the Mennonites are even allowed to use automobiles. But they cannot drive unless they are your tractors. It is more common to see group members in horse-drawn carts or on scooters, but when it comes to very long trips, it is more normal to hire a driver to drive.

Women only let their hair down when they go to wash it and are never seen wearing makeup. To wash clothes, they use an old wooden washing machine that has a basket that is lifted,…