![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
As mentioned elsewhere, I've been reading up on Urglaawe, the Pennsylvania Dutch form of Heathenry. And I'm glad I took more than just a quick glance, because I've uncovered some cool stuff.
What makes Pennsylvania Dutch different from other German immigrants is that they first arrived in the 17th century, leaving war-torn areas in Europe for a new life in America, and they quickly settled in, identifying with America rather than Germany, while keeping their language (a different dialect of German) and culture alive at home. They were the first to publicly protest slavery, they were among the first to volunteer for the Revolutionary War, they developed inventions such as the Pennsylvania/Kentucky Long Rifle (which had a decisive impact in the war), served in all major wars, gave us several words in American English, etc. Why my interest? I'm descended from them via my father's line, and I'm doing some research to find more family members.
The language itself is worth noting. When the founding fathers of the country talked about the German population, they weren't talking about modern High German from major cities with loyalties to Germany; they were talking about the Pennsylvania German population that had been there for about a century and were loyal Americans. Their language was (and is) different from standard German, and there's been little contact with their cousins in Europe. If you're used to seeing modern German, the written language looks a bit odd. But if you start pronouncing the words, and interesting detail emerges--it shares many words and details with Anglo-Saxon, in a 'Germanized' form. There used to be a lot of speakers, but the language has declined since the 1950's, and now most speakers are Old Order Amish and Mennonites. The non-Amish speakers are fewer in number, but are still around in communities scattered across the northeast US. It's not as prominent because they consider it rude to speak their German when other non-speakers (i.e. English-only) are around.
In terms of culture, the Pennsylvania Dutch have kept many old Germanic traditions alive. Hex signs, rune working, spell working, herbalism, folk healing, calligraphy and illumination, traditional music, recipes, brewing, farming customs, stories, and other arts are still living traditions. They were brought over centuries ago and have been allowed to prosper in a land of freedom. This provides a good basis for reconstruction of Heathen practices from early Germany, as they weren't subject to the same pressures of war and religious conformity. Those that settled here were Christian, but it was much more syncretic (rune and spell working, etc.). It looks to be interesting and informative.
What makes Pennsylvania Dutch different from other German immigrants is that they first arrived in the 17th century, leaving war-torn areas in Europe for a new life in America, and they quickly settled in, identifying with America rather than Germany, while keeping their language (a different dialect of German) and culture alive at home. They were the first to publicly protest slavery, they were among the first to volunteer for the Revolutionary War, they developed inventions such as the Pennsylvania/Kentucky Long Rifle (which had a decisive impact in the war), served in all major wars, gave us several words in American English, etc. Why my interest? I'm descended from them via my father's line, and I'm doing some research to find more family members.
The language itself is worth noting. When the founding fathers of the country talked about the German population, they weren't talking about modern High German from major cities with loyalties to Germany; they were talking about the Pennsylvania German population that had been there for about a century and were loyal Americans. Their language was (and is) different from standard German, and there's been little contact with their cousins in Europe. If you're used to seeing modern German, the written language looks a bit odd. But if you start pronouncing the words, and interesting detail emerges--it shares many words and details with Anglo-Saxon, in a 'Germanized' form. There used to be a lot of speakers, but the language has declined since the 1950's, and now most speakers are Old Order Amish and Mennonites. The non-Amish speakers are fewer in number, but are still around in communities scattered across the northeast US. It's not as prominent because they consider it rude to speak their German when other non-speakers (i.e. English-only) are around.
In terms of culture, the Pennsylvania Dutch have kept many old Germanic traditions alive. Hex signs, rune working, spell working, herbalism, folk healing, calligraphy and illumination, traditional music, recipes, brewing, farming customs, stories, and other arts are still living traditions. They were brought over centuries ago and have been allowed to prosper in a land of freedom. This provides a good basis for reconstruction of Heathen practices from early Germany, as they weren't subject to the same pressures of war and religious conformity. Those that settled here were Christian, but it was much more syncretic (rune and spell working, etc.). It looks to be interesting and informative.
