Summary: Mennonites – A Life of Tradition and Faith
This documentary explores the life of the Mennonites, a closed Christian commune living in Latin America, specifically in Salamanca, Mexico. These people lead a life rooted in the 16th century, renouncing modern technological progress and following strict religious and social rules. Their lives are characterized by physical labor, a modest lifestyle, and a strong sense of community.
A History of Migration
The Mennonites originated in the 16th century in Northern Europe as a branch of Anabaptism. Because of their pacifist beliefs and refusal to bear arms, they were often persecuted and forced to migrate. Their journey took them through Prussia, the Russian Empire, and Canada, before they finally settled in remote corners of Belize, Bolivia, and Mexico, seeking to preserve their way of life from globalization.
Simplicity and Hard Work
In the commune of Salamanca, life follows a rigorous routine. Mennonites work from dawn to dusk, with men focusing on the fields and women managing the household. They avoid electricity, TV, and the internet, relying instead on horse-drawn carts for transportation. While they use some machinery like tractors with iron wheels, these are modified to discourage travel to nearby cities, maintaining their isolation.
Community and Values
The Mennonite society is built on a “peculiar Christian communism” where wealth is not grace and poverty is not vice. They support one another through a community store and warehouse, ensuring that no one goes hungry. Education is limited to basic skills needed for farming and household management, with the Bible being the primary book of study. Their world is one of self-restraint and unwavering faith.
The Challenge of Modernity
Despite their strict rules, the Mennonites face internal challenges. Younger generations, exposed to glimpses of the 21st century through travel or limited technology, sometimes flirt with modern influences. The tension between tradition and the allure of an “easy life” in the outside world remains a constant struggle for the elders of the commune.
Vocabulary Table
| Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Used in sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renounce | /rɪˈnaʊns/ | To formally declare one’s abandonment of a claim, right, or possession. | I have never met people who would voluntarily renounce technical progress at the same time would look calm and happy. |
| Commune | /ˈkɒm.juːn/ | A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities. | These are Mennonites, a closed Christian commune which lives according to the 19th century rules. |
| Pacifism | /ˈpæs.ɪ.fɪ.zəm/ | The belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances. | One of the main features of their doctrine is pacifism. |
| Repressed | /rɪˈprest/ | Restrained, inhibited, or oppressed. | Because of their religion, Menno followers were cruelly tortured and repressed. |
| Provincial | /prəˈvɪn.ʃəl/ | Of or concerning a province of a country or empire; unsophisticated or narrow-minded. | In search of peace, Mennonites have fled from civilization to the most provincial corners of the earth. |
| Severity | /sɪˈver.ə.ti/ | The quality of being very great or intense; the fact or condition of being severe. | Within the Mennonite society itself, the severity of morals is very different from commune to commune. |
| Aesthetic | /esˈθet.ɪk/ | Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty; giving or designed to give pleasure through beauty. (Note: The transcript uses ‘aesthetic’ likely meaning ‘ascetic’). | Mennonites have a modest almost aesthetic (ascetic) lifestyle. |
| Legumes | /ˈleɡ.juːm/ | A leguminous plant (member of the pea family), especially one grown as a crop. | The only thing that unites Mennonite and Mexican cuisine are legumes. |
| Concession | /kənˈseʃ.ən/ | A thing that is granted, especially in response to demands. | Agricultural machinery is one of the few concessions of civilization in the commune. |
| Warehouse | /ˈweə.haʊs/ | A large building used for storing goods. | One more part goes to a special warehouse which belongs to the entire commune. |
| Enzyme | /ˈen.zaɪm/ | A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. | Then special enzymes are added. |
| Cohesion | /kəʊˈhiː.ʒən/ | The action or fact of forming a united whole. | But after a couple of days, this cohesion started to embarrass me. |
| Catechism | /ˈkæt.ə.kɪ.zəm/ | A summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers. | (Contextual term related to religious teaching). |
| Self-restraint | /ˌself.rɪˈstreɪnt/ | Restraint imposed by oneself on one’s own actions; self-control. | …the seemingly unpretentious way of Mennonites life in fact requires great self-restraint. |
| Vigilance | /ˈvɪdʒ.ɪ.ləns/ | The action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. | But in spite of all the church vigilance, it seems that a quiet riot is ripening. |
Vocabulary Flashcards
Lexical Focus: Collocations & Chunks
Don’t just learn isolated words—learn chunks of language. These patterns will help you speak more naturally.
-
renounce the Catholic Church
Verb + Noun Collocation
In the middle of the 16th century, priest Menno Simmons renounced the Catholic Church. -
unquestioned authority
Adjective + Noun Collocation
Their word is of unquestioned authority. -
blend in
Phrasal Verb
The first thing you need to do in Salamanca to blend in is to change your clothes. -
from dawn to dusk
Prepositional Phrase / Fixed Expression
6 days a week, Mennonites work from dawn to dusk. -
physical labor
Noun Phrase
Physical labor from dawn to dusk is the basis of a Mennonite’s life. -
hired worker
Adjective + Noun Collocation
In Canada, he was a hired worker in a store. -
carry it inside
Verb + Particle Phrase
We have to carry all the water inside and carry it outside and clean the tables. -
get used to
Phrasal Verb
She needs to get used to many things like I do. -
start from scratch
Idiomatic Expression
Life should be started from scratch and in case of failure it is hardly possible to return. -
feeling of gratitude
Noun + Prepositional Phrase
I was leaving Salamanca with a feeling of gratitude for the received experience.
De-Chunking: Complete the Expressions
Select the correct phrase from the box below to complete the sentences from the video.
blend in
from dawn to dusk
get used to
start from scratch
1. The churchmen’s word is of .
2. The first thing you need to do in Salamanca to is to change your clothes.
3. 6 days a week, Mennonites work .
4. She needs to many things like I do.
5. If they leave the community, their life should be .
While-viewing Tasks
Complete these tasks while watching the video to stay focused and check your understanding:
Guided Notes
Fill in the missing information as you watch the documentary:
- The Mennonites speak , a dialect of German.
- Mennonite men and women sit on sides of the table during dinner.
- The main source of income and wealth for a Mennonite is their .
- The tractors in Salamanca have wheels to make travel difficult.
Questions to Answer
- What is the main reason why the Mennonites have moved around so much throughout history?
- What is the significance of the “iron wheels” on the tractors in Salamanca?
- How does the community store help maintain equality among the Mennonite families?
Which of these did you see in the video?
- A horse-drawn cart
- A woman sewing a dress
- A man using a smartphone openly
- A community meeting at a store
- A large tractor with rubber tires
Embedded Video:
Fill in the Blanks Exercise
1. The Mennonites live according to century rules.
2. One of the main features of their doctrine is .
3. Women in Salamanca braid their long twice a week.
4. Mennonites do not have electricity, TV, or .
5. Men and women sit on sides of the table during dinner.
6. is the biggest wealth of a Mennonite.
7. The tractors in the commune have wheels.
8. Mennonite homemade is especially famous.
9. Childbirth usually happens in the community .
10. Sunday is a day devoted to and prayers.
11. The Bible is the only used in their schools.
12. Lovers can see each other only within the .
13. Mennonites do not use and never have abortions.
14. A guy lets the girl know he is waiting by blinking a .
15. To leave the community forever means renouncing your and your family.
Vocabulary Quiz
Fact or Fiction Quiz
Extension Activities
Choose from these activities to explore the topic of Mennonite culture further:
Comparative Essay: Amish vs. Mennonites
Research the main differences between the Amish and the Mennonites. While they share many similarities, their approaches to technology and community integration vary. Write a 200-word essay highlighting two key differences.
Medium
Roleplay: A Difficult Choice
Work with a partner. One person plays a young Mennonite who wants to experience the modern world, and the other plays a traditional elder. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of leaving the commune.
Easy
Presentation: The Ethics of Isolation
In a small group, prepare a presentation discussing the ethical implications of closed communities. Should children be allowed more exposure to the outside world, or is it the parents’ right to raise them in total isolation? Present your arguments to the class.
Hard