Versammlinge—community events filled with songs; performances; speeches; and skits that celebrate Pennsylvania German heritage and culture—are held entirely in the Pennsylvania German Deitsch language. Some; the “groundhog lodges;†feature a ceremony honoring the groundhog; while others do not. These unique meetings; expressions of a distinctive ethnic identity in the context of a rapidly changing society; have become a traditional mainstay among Pennsylvania Germans who have worked to preserve their language and culture into the twenty-first century. Serious Nonsense introduces readers to Pennsylvania German cultural practices that tourists rarely see and that outsiders; including most scholars; rarely learn about. The book explores the origins of the versammlinge and details the practice’s significance since the 1930s; when the first meetings of the Pennsylvania German groundhog lodges were held. Much as they did then; versammlinge today follow a pattern of prayers; patriotism; and speeches extolling values associated with Pennsylvania German identity; as well as theatrical and oral events that humorously contrast a simpler past with a more complex and confusing present. And the groundhog lodges feature one Pennsylvania German tradition that has become familiar in popular culture: groundhog weather prognostication.
#2819553 in Books 2002-07-30Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .75 x 6.00l; 1.24 #File Name: 0271021993208 pages
Review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy richard reederdetailed sequence of various sects3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. While this book has a lot of good information; It does not even make any mention ...By P. B.While this book has a lot of good information; It does not even make any mention of the first German settlers to PA who came over with William Penn and settled outside of Philadelphia where they founded Germantown. From their; their families spread west and north into what would become Bucks; Montgomery; Berks and Chester counties. There were integrated but isolated German communities in those areas well beyond the Civil War. They were still speaking german and even publishing newspapers in the german language. Seems that these would have rounded out the story.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Churches not PeopleBy Joy Mahrer"Foreigners in Their Own Land" is an ecclesiastical history. The book far better suited to a study of the early German eastern Pennsylvania churches than people or families.
