AMISH LIFESTYLE

Amish, often referred to as Aplain people@, maintain a very distinct lifestyle. They use few modern conveniences and keep a horse and buggy as their means of conveyance. Buggies are a common sight in Lancaster as they clip-clop down country roads as well as more travelled routes.

Amish easily are identified by their manner of dress, which, they feel, is a symbol of their separation from the world and a constant reminder of their commitment to God and their religion.

Men and boys wear dark suits, coats without lapels, pastel-coloured shirts, a straw or black broad-brimmed hat and black shoes. Women wear skirts with long sleeves and high necks topped off with caps and white or black aprons. They also wear select pastel colours. Wire hook-and-eye fasteners, straight pins and velcro are used as fasteners. Women and men do not wear jewellery or embellishments such as buttons (although, some buttons are worn on winter coats) on their clothes in order to maintain humility and disavow anything that might gain them recognition, such as distinctive dress. Likewise, Amish do not style thir hair, wear makeup, manufactured clothing or anything to alter God=s creation.

Black is the dominating colour for Amish life but, ironically, Amish are buried in white. Married men wear a beard. Mustaches are taboo since they were once associated with military officers and Amish are pacifists. Men keep their hair trimmed in a single layer, unparted cut that dips to the earlobe on the sides and above the collar in the back of the head.

Intelligencer Journal

Sunday 21/12/97

QUESTIONS

 

1. Match the following words to the definitions (2 points).

 Fastener (9)                                                                 

Conveyance(2)          

Commitment(5)

Disavow(11)

_______________: Strong belief in an idea or system, especially when it is shown by your actions and behaviour.

_______________: Vehicle.

_______________: When you say that you are not connected with it or responsible for it.

_______________: Device such as a button or a zip or safety pin that fastens something, especially clothing.

 

2. Asnwer the following questions (1.5 points).

a. Why are Amish referred to as plain people?

b. When do Amish people wear clothes in white?

c. Why do they not wear luxurious things?