Amish faceless dolls

The Amish are known for their strong religious beliefs that are reflected in their simplelife style. They do not use many of our modern day conveniences. They live much like people did in the early 1900's. Their strong beliefs influence every part of their lives, their dress is plain and simple, and so are the dolls they make for their children.

In the Bible, in Exodus and Deuteronomy, it says you are not supposed to make any thing (to worship) that is in the image or likeness of male or female. That is why Amish do not put faces on their dolls. It is also not uncommon for both the girls and the boys to have dolls.

The Amish

Not far from the hustle and bustle of city life live the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These deeply religious people shun the conveniences of modern society to live a simpler life where transportation is a horse and buggy and horsepower really means horsepower.

The Amish are very devout and take seriously the biblical commands to separate themselves from the things of the world including electricity. Power comes from propane, kerosene, wood, coal, or natural gas.

As the world around the peaceful farmland changes, so have some of the traditions of the Amish. Transportation is no longer limited to horse-drawn buggies. "There is a division among the Amish over the automobile. One group got automobiles, another group kept the horse and buggy. we just simply name them old order -- drive the horse and buggy, and the new order -- drive the automobiles. They have electricity, they have meeting houses and they don't have green shades."

But many traditions remain. Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses through grade eight and farming is the mainstay of Amish life. There are normally two horses on a farm for buggies. Several mules are kept for farming. Milking is one of the most important sources of income on the farm.

Many Amish leaders believe their separation from the outside world strengthens their community. And that community is thriving. Despite what many on the outside would describe as a backwards lifestyle, the Amish population in Lancaster County has almost tripled over the past half century.

Riverdance

Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing. A group of dancers perform with rapid leg movements while keeping their bodies and arms mostly still.

It was first performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 featuring Jean Butler and Michael Flatley, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the Celtic choral group Anúna.

Riverdance continues to be performed all over the world, but is currently playing its farewell tour. The show will finish in 2010, 15 years after opening, in Dublin

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