Breadwinner
They go to high mass to listen to the sermon of their idol. In Latrobe, Pennsylvania, these few Amish are on their way to the meeting of Donald Trump, who has come to support the local Republican candidate for the midterms. They confirm a basic trend running through this Christian community of 300,000 faithful across the United States. Traditionally little concerned by the elections and voting little, it seems more and more inclined to defend the former president, praised for his displayed attachment to the traditional values of the family and in particular to the fight against abortion.
Daddy’s beard
In the small troop, this man appears with the classic Amish beard. The men of the community always let themselves grow a long and generous beard after their marriage, in order to materialize their transition to adulthood. They are characterized above all by the absence of a mustache, which is completely forbidden in the community. Why is that ? Because in the United States, the mustache has long been the prerogative and symbol of soldiers. But the Amish are pacifists before the eternal.
Kapp to cross
Here, the women wear the traditional Amish headgear called “kapp”. A symbol of modesty and devotion to God, it plays a key role in the community. Since women cannot wear jewellery, considered as so many signs of vanity and pride, the kapp fulfills the function usually held by the wedding ring. Thus, married women wear white kapps, while single women wear black kapps.
United before God
To accompany their kapp, these three women wear the usual Amish long dresses. Traditionally made by the women of the community and closed with hooks rather than buttons or zips, considered too ostentatious, these pieces are always plain. In the Amish community, patterns or impressions are indeed strictly prohibited, as they are considered immodest and disrespectful of God. According to the Amish reading, the Bible repeatedly mentions the importance of wearing plain clothes.
From foot to rap
Followers of an existence turned towards God and disconnected from the contingencies of contemporary life, the Amish reject what comes from technology and fashions. However, this woman at the head of the procession here wears particularly topical black sneakers. It’s a pair of Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2, a flagship model from the collection designed by Kanye West, before the brand recently distanced itself from the rapper. In view of the convictions of the latter – very religious, anti-abortion and pro-Trump – this may not be entirely a coincidence.