Ethnography of Amish
William Carey International University
Ethnography of the Amish
Jason Fawks Mentor: Dr. Charles Jarvis Module 3A Ethnographic Paper July 2012
Introduction
With the modernization of a large part of the world during the 20th century, almost all people, except for third world countries, have moved from an agrarian society to an industrialized one. There is one group of people, known as the Amish, who for religious and faith based reasons, have resisted the technological advance of society and instead opted to live a simple life that resembles the pre-industrial era. The majority of the Amish live and work on their own farms within the context of a close-knit community. The Amish culture is fascinating as it is one where the horse and buggy is still the primary means of transportation. People from all over the world visit Amish Country in Ohio to find out more about them. One of the typical questions about Amish concerns the various orders and the different rules and restrictions they have in attempting to live apart from the world. Although there are numerous orders of Amish with a variety of principles to live by, they are in fact, all parts of the same group. They all possess the same core faith and desire to live a life set apart from the world for the glory of God. This ethnographic paper taken from my interviews with Amish neighbors and friends will demonstrate the similarities and differences found among Amish orders in Holmes County, Ohio and give a structural taxonomy of an Amish Farm, their main occupation.
Cultural Scene
Holmes County, Ohio.
[pic]
(Wesner, 2010) The Anabaptist movement began in the 16th century with the Swiss Brethren reformers Felix Manz (1498-1527) and Conrad Grebel (1498-1526). They chose to reject infant baptism in favor of believer’s baptism. Anabaptists believed that baptism
Ethnography of the Amish
Jason Fawks Mentor: Dr. Charles Jarvis Module 3A Ethnographic Paper July 2012
Introduction
With the modernization of a large part of the world during the 20th century, almost all people, except for third world countries, have moved from an agrarian society to an industrialized one. There is one group of people, known as the Amish, who for religious and faith based reasons, have resisted the technological advance of society and instead opted to live a simple life that resembles the pre-industrial era. The majority of the Amish live and work on their own farms within the context of a close-knit community. The Amish culture is fascinating as it is one where the horse and buggy is still the primary means of transportation. People from all over the world visit Amish Country in Ohio to find out more about them. One of the typical questions about Amish concerns the various orders and the different rules and restrictions they have in attempting to live apart from the world. Although there are numerous orders of Amish with a variety of principles to live by, they are in fact, all parts of the same group. They all possess the same core faith and desire to live a life set apart from the world for the glory of God. This ethnographic paper taken from my interviews with Amish neighbors and friends will demonstrate the similarities and differences found among Amish orders in Holmes County, Ohio and give a structural taxonomy of an Amish Farm, their main occupation.
Cultural Scene
Holmes County, Ohio.
[pic]
(Wesner, 2010) The Anabaptist movement began in the 16th century with the Swiss Brethren reformers Felix Manz (1498-1527) and Conrad Grebel (1498-1526). They chose to reject infant baptism in favor of believer’s baptism. Anabaptists believed that baptism
References: Buller, Burton. 2012. The Amish: How They Survive. Buller Films, LLC. Kraybill, Donald B. 2001. On the Backroad to Heaven. Jordan, Mildred. 1970. Proud To Be Amish. Robinson, B.A. 2006. Amish History – 2. Retrieved electronically July 2012 from: http://www.gawhs.org/AmishHistory2.html. Spradley, James P. 1979. The Ethnographic Interview. Wesner, Erik. 2010 Amish State Guide. Retrieved electronically July 2012 from: http://amishamerica.com/amish-state-guide.