Mennonites - A hidden world in Argentina | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

Menanites, technology avoidance, religious fundamentalism, colony life, cultural preservation, modernity vs. tradition, excommunication, pacifism, tourism, social pressure, personal freedom, community rules, adaptation, cultural change.

Menanite Communities in Argentina: A Study in Tradition and Modernity

Introduction: The Menanite Way of Life

The video explores the lives of Menanites in Argentina, a cultural and religious group living in colonies that largely reject technology and modern influences. They adhere to a strict interpretation of the Bible, emphasizing manual labor, religious devotion, and separation from the outside world. Large families are central to their communities. A German dialect is spoken.

Pampa de los Guanakos: An Orthodox Colony

The investigation begins in Pampa de los Guanakos, a conservative colony of over 170 families. Boris, a driver who serves as a link to the outside world, introduces the film crew to Don Abraham, who allows them to stay in his home. Life in the colony is without running water or electricity. Don Abraham, 67, and his wife Susanna have nine children and 29 grandchildren.

Daily Life and Gender Roles

Menanite women are responsible for cooking, cleaning, and raising children. They primarily speak Ploutich (Menanite Low German) and have limited opportunities to learn Spanish. During meals, men and women sit separately and maintain silence. Children are raised with strict rules, prohibiting technology and recreational activities like swings. Education is limited, with boys attending school until 13 and girls until 12. Teenagers are allowed to socialize on Sundays with strict rules, including a 5:00 p.m. curfew and no contact between genders.

Strict Rules and Secret Rebellions

The community's strict rules, based on their interpretation of the Bible, aim to prevent modernization. However, teenagers often secretly defy these rules, such as listening to the radio. The teens don't speak English so they're missing the song's double entendres.

Pacifism and Community Governance

The colony rejects violence, symbolized by a white label on men's clothing. The colony has no police or prisons, instead relying on a governor, like Guymore, elected for a five-year term, to maintain order. Guymore is also a farmer.

Technology: Tractors vs. Cars

Tractors with metal wheels are permitted for farming, as they are considered work tools. Rubber tires are only allowed on horsedrawn carts. Cars are forbidden.

Leaving the Colony: David's Story

David, a former member, left the colony voluntarily to offer his children a different future. He now embraces technology, which was forbidden in the colony, and experiences the outside world through news and music. However, he has lost contact with his family, who consider him a "bad person."

Metan: A More Progressive Colony

In contrast to the conservative colonies, the Menanites in Metan embrace some modernity. They live among other Argentinians, own cars, and some speak fluent English. Titus, the colony's secretary, uses computers and the internet for evangelization and administrative tasks. He uses a filter to avoid social media and other potentially harmful content.

Internet and Education in Metan

Titus uses the internet to learn about geography, astronomy, and Menanite history. He notes that some members in other colonies believe the Earth is flat.

Women's Roles in Metan

Women in Metan play a more significant role in the community's economy, running a cooperative store and working in a Menanite store in town. Marta, Titus's sister, teaches children and has chosen not to marry.

Excommunication and its Consequences

Titus is later revealed to have been excommunicated from the church for "serious mistakes." Excommunication is the worst punishment for a Menanite.

Zara and Abraham: Seeking a New Life

Zara, her husband Abraham, and their five children moved to the Metan colony after Abraham was caught with a cell phone in his former colony, Nova Esparansa. He was punished and considered suicide.

Nova Esparansa: A Conservative Colony and Menanite Tourism

The film crew travels to Nova Esparansa, a large and conservative colony. Despite the strict rules, residents secretly use cell phones to stay in contact with relatives who have been banished. The colony has embraced tourism, with guided tours led by Analyia, who takes tourists to the church and a restaurant run by a Menanite family. The tour includes a visit to the colony's co-op, which sells both local products and major brands.

Abraham's Dream: A Flight of Freedom

Abraham, a 20-year-old Menanite, fulfills his dream of flying in an ultra light aircraft, with his father's permission.

Conclusion: The Future of Menanite Communities

The video concludes by questioning whether Menanite traditions are threatened by modernity and whether there is room for change in these communities. Each generation must decide on its own.

Key Quotes

• "We have no car, no radio, no cell phone, nothing. I'm totally against cell phones on the internet. It influences people's behavior." - A Menanite expressing their rejection of technology.
• "It's our symbol to say we don't have guns. We don't have knives. We don't kill people." - Guymore, explaining the meaning of the white label on men's clothes as a symbol of pacifism.
• "He has made some serious mistakes. I would suggest that you don't pry any further into that." - Larry Weaver, explaining Titus's excommunication.
• "I was on the verge of ending my life several times. Yes, I'm happy to go on living." - Abraham, describing his struggles in his former colony and his relief at finding a new life.

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Menanites: A Christian religious group known for their simple living, pacifism, and separation from the world.
• Ploutich (Menanite Low German): The German dialect spoken by many Menanites.
• Excommunication: The act of formally excluding someone from membership or participation in a church or religious community.
• Pacifism: The belief that war and violence are unjustifiable and that disputes should be settled peacefully.
• Colony: A settlement of people living in a new territory but subject to the parent country. In this context, it refers to the self-contained communities where Menanites live.

Logical Connections

The video progresses from showcasing a highly conservative Menanite colony to a more progressive one, highlighting the spectrum of adaptation to modernity within the Menanite community. The stories of individuals like David, Titus, Abraham, and Zara illustrate the personal consequences of adhering to or deviating from traditional norms. The inclusion of Menanite tourism in Nova Esparansa demonstrates a complex relationship between cultural preservation and economic adaptation.

Data and Statistics

• Pampa de los Guanakos: Over 170 families.
• Don Abraham has nine children and 29 grandchildren.
• Nova Esparansa: Population of about 2,700.
• Analyia takes around 30 tourists to the colony once a week, charging about €60 per person.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video provides a nuanced look at Menanite communities in Argentina, revealing a diverse range of approaches to tradition and modernity. While some colonies maintain strict separation from the outside world, others embrace technology and engage with Argentine society. The personal stories of individuals who have left or joined colonies highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with navigating these different paths. The emergence of Menanite tourism further complicates the picture, raising questions about the authenticity and sustainability of cultural preservation in the face of economic pressures. Ultimately, the video suggests that the future of Menanite communities in Argentina will depend on the choices made by each generation as they grapple with the tension between tradition and change.