1) ORDNUNG: BASIC PRINCIPLES
The Ordnung, which is a German word meaning rules, regulations, and order, is a set of rules to regulate the private, public, and ceremonial behavior.
→ Members must speak a German or Swiss dialect.
→ It is forbidden to own a television, radio, camera, or computer.
→Divorce is forbidden.
→Joining the military is forbidden.
→It is taboo to wear jewelry or any other ornament or garment that emphasizes vanity.
→Community members are not allowed to sue anyone.
→It is forbidden to tap electricity from public utility lines
Illustration in the film :
In the movie ‘witness’, we notice that the majority of man has a beard and wears a hat whereas women have to cover their head with a bonnet and wear a dress.
During the opening scene and some others, we hear some Amish speak German dialect even if the film is in english (which shows the importance of their own language in their life).
To go to catch the train, Eli, Rachel and Samuel use an horse-drawn buggy. Also, when John Book lives with the Amish community, he goes with Eli to the city in buggy.
We observe in the Amish farmhouse that there is no trace of technology.
All members are very humble in their appearence. Their clothes and their attitude are very modest. For example, Rachel doesn’t apply make up or doesn’t wear jewerly.
They use candles to light the house as soon as the sun goes down because they don’t have electricity.
2) SHUNNING
Based upon religious scriptures, the Amish believe that members who openly sin again traditional church doctrines must be purged from the church as a warning and safeguard to maintain the purity of the church.
Members who are excommunicated and shunned are avoided by active members in all social and business activities. However, the offenders are always welcomed back to the community if they repent.
Illustration in the film :
At one point, Eli, the father-in-law of Rachel, threatens her to be shunned. According to their rules, she can’t listen music and he blames her because just before, she was dancing with John to the music of the car’s radio. Considered as a sin, what she has done could be a reason to be shunned but at this point, she rebels against the Ordnung and stands up to Eli saying that she isn’t a little girl anymore and she can take care of herself. She seems call into question her religion and her life in the Amish community.
3) AMISH HISTORY
Mennonite and Amish history is generally thought to begin
on January 21, 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland.
Who was Jacob Amman? What did he do? When? Where?
Jacob Amman is a young Mennonite leader, from the Alsace region of modern-day France, who formed in 1693 his own Christian fellowship : The Amish community.
When did the Amish first migrate to the USA?
The first migrations of the Amish began in the 1720's.
Illustration in the film : Ø
4) AMISH BARN-RAISING
An Amish barn raising is an important example of the selfless practice of assisting one's relatives, neighbors and community through life's many hardships that characterizes the Amish people of Lancaster County. It is such close-knit devotion and loyalty that has protected the community over the generations.
In fact, the Amish barn raising experience becomes a social occasion bonding the families and neighbors in mutual assistance
Illustration in the film :
The scene of the Amish barn-raising happens when John Book is almost cured and all the Amish gather together at the farm of one of them.
John, Daniel and other men raise the barn, facade by facade, without any specialized machines while women are preparing the meal and children are playing.
They raise a barn in order to give new-married a hand and all the day was a symbol of sharing, helping and generosity.
5) AMISH RELIGION & BELIEFS
Amish religion is based upon the basic tenets of early Christianity and a desire to be faithful to God
They believe that that the Bible is the Word of God and that the Church is the body of Christ fulfilling God's purposes on earth.
Amish beliefs also emphasize the importance of humility, obedience, and simplicity.
They believe that true Christians should never use violence or force. The word of God is more important than any other.
Illustration in the film :
Several scenes show how much the Amish are religious.
Just before eating, they pray to God. Also when they go bed.
At one point, when they come back from the town, the Amish are annoyed by some guys but even if they are ridiculed by them, the Amish don’t react. They don’t use any violence against other people even though they are disrespectful towards them.
6) AMISH HOMES
Although modest and simple, the typical Amish house reflects the importance of the family, daily work and humility.
Amish homes are usually large with two stories since many Amish families consist of six or seven children. The homes tend to be plain and are usually painted white, green, blue or brown which are the colors of nature.
Illustration in the film :
Eli, Rachel and Samuel live in a farmhouse, which is built in typical Amish way.
It’s an humble and simple farm, with modest others structures. There aren’t farm machinery because Eli uses horses, and old fashion tools. With the colors of the nature, the house seems to merge in the landscape.
7) AMISH CHURCH SERVICES
In Lancaster County, there is a tradition that Amish church services are held in the homes of the congregation
This Amish tradition expresses the simplicity, purity
and community spirit that is so essential to the Amish faith and way of life.
The Amish women are required to prepare the communal meal which is served at noon in the home of the member hosting the service
Illustration in the film :
The community spirit of the Amish is very present in the movie.
In the opening scene, we saw that all the community attends Jacob’s funeral. Then, when John is badly wounded, one Amish with some medical knowledge, come to see him but wants to send him to the hospital. Rachel convinces him to help them in order to protect Samuel. At the end, when Samuel ring the bell, every Amish farmer who hear it, come to the farmhouse to give a hand.
8) AMISH WOMEN
Amish women are expected to place the needs of their family, church, and community above their own.
They are responsible for managing the household, preparing the food, sewing and ironing the family clothes, and assisting the needs of their neighbors
Illustration in the film :
Rachel behaves according to the typical Amish way. She prepares the meal, she manages the household while men are working outside. She considers the needs of her family above her own.
Moreover, she helps them to do some labour working in the fields because there aren’t enough men.
9) AMISH CHILDREN
Amish children are disciplined to be respectful and obedient to their elders.
To prevent their children from becoming spoiled, the parents teach their children to "surrender" their selfish will as opposed to always trying to get their own way.
Illustration in the film :
Samuel, the little kid, is very discreet. He is obedient to his mother, for example when she asks him in the train station to put his hat on his head. He is very respectful towards John Book or his grandfather but also towards policemen in the office.
10) AMISH CLOTHING
Old Order Amish men and boys generally wear dark suits without lapels which fasten with hooks rather than buttons. They wear brown shoes for work and black shoes for formal occasions. Broad-brimmed hats are worn outdoors.
Quote 6 items of clothing that women and girls wear:
- dresses
- full skirts
- caps
- aprons
- black shoes
- stockings
What do they never wear?
- Jewerly
- Make-up
Illustration in the film :
At one point, Rachel explains to John that it’s a sign of pride to wear buttons. That’s why Amish men wear suits with hooks.
In the movie, we see that Eli, Daniel, Samuel and others wear always a broad-brimmed hat.
In the opening scene, all women wear black dresses for the funeral with skirts. The cap and the apron are also mandatory.
The fact that they are all dressed in the same way proves that there are very significant rules about the clothes.
Never, in the movie, Rachel dares to wear jewerly or make-up. The Ornung forbids everything which emphasizes the vanity.
