The Pennsylvania Dutch came to the New Country from the Palatinate region of Germany and Switzerland between the 1600s and the early 1800s. They brought many customs and traditions with them: PowWow, their Shamanic healing system, Hex signs, Haus Segens, folk art, the Christmas tree, crafts, humor and cookery. They mingled with AmerIndian tribes, primarily the Susquehannock, and traded Shamanic knowledge and recipes. Many were Christians, mainly Lutherans and Catholic, while some Pagans joined churches to avoid being persecuted as witches. Pappy was a term of respect for PowWow doctors, folk healers; Mammy, a term of respect for women. Yule, the Winter Solstice and shortest day of the year, was celebrated with their traditions and a feast.
Pennsylvania Dutch Pagan Yule Celebration
Give thanks that daylight will be increasing after the winter solstice. Decorate the altar, covered by green cloths, with red candles in gold colored holders, holly, ivy, mistletoe and pine and other cones and silk evergreen branches. Burn pine incense. Light the Yule log in the hearth or symbolic twigs in a fireproof container.
Read John George Hohman’s Pow-Wows; or, Long Lost Friend, self published in 1820. The book offers remedies for healing humans and animals, spells for protection and testimonials. Hohman’s work includes appealing to the Christian deities; other versions, based on his book, make pleas to Pagan ones.
Create hex signs, folk art painted on barns and hung in homes. As the Dutch aver, they’re not “chust for pretty.” They're the unique art form of Pennsylvania Dutch Shamanism. The signs are designed to bring in the positive and protect people from negativity and evil, basically amulets made to ward off the negative and talismans, intended to attract. Haus Segens are like a family’s coat of arms, handed down for generations, specifically created for the family. The symbolism of the art and meaning of the colors can be found in Hex Signs and Haus Segens.
Hang evergreen, holly, ivy and mistletoe wreaths on doors, windows and walls as a symbol of everlasting life, protection, immortality and healing. Decorate the Yule tree with crystals, glass balls, lights and strings of popcorn and cranberries.
Pennsylvania Dutch Yule Feast
The weather is chilly and windows are steamed by warmth of food cooking. Tantalizing aromas spark appetites, evoking memories of the last Pennsylvania Dutch Thanksgiving Feast and anticipating the Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Feast.The food is hearty and, as the Dutch say, “Wonderful good!” These recipes have been handed down from my Pennsylvania Dutch Walter, Troxell and Fley families and adapted by me. Enjoy.
Eggnog: In a large bowl, beat 6 eggs with an electric beater. Add 1 cup bourbon, 3 cups 2% low fat milk and 7 tablespoons white sugar, alternating the ingredients. Continue beating until mixture thickens. Blend in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Pour into air tight containers and chill overnight. Garnish with ground nutmeg.
Split Pea Soup: Wash 1 pound split peas. Add 3 quarts cold water, 2 chopped carrots, 1 teaspoon celery seed, 1 diced medium onion and 1 ham bone with meat. Boil. Simmer for 3 hours or until soup is thick. Remove ham bone. Purée soup. Add ham. Reheat soup.
Baked Ham: Mix together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons each flour and dark corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves until a paste is formed. Spread on a 5 pound canned ham. Bake at 135 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before carving.
Ham Gravy: Heat 2 tablespoons fat from baked ham or 2 tablespoons margarine in skillet. Blend 2 tablespoons flour with 2 tablespoons skim milk until a thick paste is formed. Add to fat or margarine. Cook on medium low heat, stirring with whisk until mixture is smooth. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups milk, stirring constantly until gravy thickens and is golden.
Potato Filling: Blend together 2 cups mashed potatoes and 1 beaten egg. Melt 2 tablespoons margarine in a large skillet and sauté 1 minced onion, 1 tablespoon crumbled dried parsley and 1/2 cup chopped celery. Add 1 quart stale bread crumbs, stirring constantly. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together.
Green Beans and Onions: Fry 2 slices bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Sauté 1 sliced large onion and 1 pint, 1 inch sliced green beans, in bacon fat until slightly browned. Add bacon and 1 cup hot water. Cover and simmer until beans are tender, adding water if needed.
Pickled Beets: Mix together 1/3 cup white sugar, salt to taste, ¼ cup cider vinegar and 3/4 cup red beet juice until the sugar dissolves. Pour over beets. Cover. Refrigerate overnight.
Shoo Fly Pie: Blend together 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon each nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, 3/4 cup each cup molasses and hot water. Put into unbaked pie shell. Combine 1/4 cup shortening, 1 1/2 cups flour and 1 cup brown sugar and knead until it turns into crumbs. Sprinkle crumb on pie mixture. Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Post Prandial Pennsylvania Dutch Relaxation
Savor peppermint or apple schnapps. Reflect on the day’s celebration. Make plans for visiting Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, in person or on the Internet. If you travel to the Dutch Belt, you’ll be greeted with the hospitality the people are known for and treated to their humor and wisdom. You’ll dine on excellent fare. Buy hex signs and other folk art items. Listen to the idioms when the locals talk.
Some people are offended by the Dutch accents and colloquialisms, like the Philadelphians on a train who were returning home after their vacation in the Dutch Country. They raved about the food, folk art and hospitality, but loudly complained about the Pennsylvania Dutch accent and sayings that they found unpleasant. Finally, a Dutchman walked over to them and told them to go to Hell because they would find no Pennsylvania Dutch there. Wisdom, humor or both?
Sources:
- John George Hohman, Pow-Wows; or, Long Lost Friend, self published, 1820 www.whitetreeaz.com/cd/longlost.htm.
- Silver RavenWolf, HexCraft, Llewellyn 1995.
Jill Stefko - I'd rather deal with the paranormal than human abnormal - having dealt extensively with both.
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