This may be my limited extent of knowledge that makes me says that this is the first community I saw which practices this collectively. What fascinates me more than ever is that it is practiced by this close-knit community in a country which is the biggest consumer, where technology is fashion and corporations create a need for something that is not required at all.
In this small town of Shipshewana, an Amish elderly person took us in a two horse Buggy through the town and countryside. All Amish family houses are huge with few acres of farm attached to the house. A dairy farm of about 20 – 50 cows is a part of their house. Religious and Spiritual history of this culture can be googled but the experience of visiting this place is very peaceful. Knowing that there exists a community which lives life similar to our ancestors few generations ago is hard to believe. These people do not believe in higher education. There are Amish schools which cover grade 12 education by the time they graduate grade 8.
We were told that the schools do not teach religion, it is left to the church. Another peculiarity is that Amish communities do not build a church building. Instead every family gets to invite the community members to their house for church service. Every thing in their lives revolves around their house.
In these towns the mode of transport is buggy. Bicycle riders are common and very few ride trucks or tractors. Electricity is powered by generators fuelled by biogas or natural gas. Agricultural machinery is driven by Horses. Horses are bred within the community. Percheron horse breed is the one used for agricultural purposes. Everything that will reduce the dependency on money and eventually economy is raised in the town. Self-dependency indeed!
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