Pow-wowing is a practice that seems to be disappearing from the Amish, though some of the more conservative churches still believe and practice it.
My parents did not believe that it was something to get involved in, but that didn't keep others from trying to get them to visit their well loved pow-wow doctors whom they thought could cure everything from shyness, all physical ailments, to infertility.
I never could understand how chanting several specific Bible verses three times, then spinning around and quoting them backwards six times was supposed to heal anything. There was a whole list of creepy remedies, but of course only someone with the "gift" of pow-wowing could do them.
I only ever watched something being performed once, it involved a piece of red cloth, and an egg which was wrapped into the cloth that had been rubbed all over my little brother. It was then placed in some hot ashes and when it exploded the doctor claimed he was healed.
My parents were not at all happy with the "doctor", especially since they had not given permission for that ritual to be performed.
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Thank you! I had always wondered why such a religious group would practice a craft that would look like witchcraft to some. Pow-wowing always seemed a bit out of place to me.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem strange that they aren't bothered by it.
DeleteThis is interesting! Did these Amish do this in place of all modern medicine? Almost a year ago I was able to drive our Amish neighbor to the hospital because she was was in need of serious medical help. They originally were just looking to use the phone and call for a ride but could not find one. I am happy that they did not let this emergency 'work its self out' which is what many people think when a women is in labor. They knew better after 9 healthy little ones that this one was not going like it should!
ReplyDeleteWas your brother healed by the 'doctor'?
There was nothing wrong with my brother to begin with. And the weird stuff the doctor did, did not cure him of his bashfulness.
DeleteI have nothing against trying natural medicine, but pow-wowing is far from that.
Oh, my gosh! I've never heard of such a thing. It sounds like Native American traditions, only he was called a 'medicine man'. Thank you for sharing this. I've learned a great deal from you.
ReplyDeleteReading about medicine men, it reminds me a lot of pow-wowing.
DeleteI remember you wrote in one of your ABC posts that the most conservative the group, the more likely they were to believe in superstitions. There was a time, before modern medicine, when a "what the heck; might as well try it" attitude was all you had, but certainly not today. Glad you got out of that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my parents never got into that.
DeleteHummmmmm ....... this is the strangest thing you've shared I think ...... hahahaha ........ made me kinda chuckle tho !!! The crazy things that men try !!! I night try this for the fun of it ....... waving a red flag with an egg wrapped in it !!! They will think Momma has gone over the edge ...... amusing to say the least :):) xo
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder who came up with this weird stuff!
DeleteWell, it can't actually HURT to wave a red flag with an egg wrapped in it. I guess it's better than other remedies I might imagine.
ReplyDelete