Welcome to my Braucherei Blog: Where you can immerse yourself in the history, culture, faith, and folklore of the
Pennsylvania Dutch (Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch) people.
Hello! My name is Gretchen Swank, and I am a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Braucher. I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania, and I am of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. I have Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow in both my maternal and paternal lineage; I am very passionate about my heritage, its culture, and its customs.
This blog is a place for learning, community, and fun. I want folks to know Braucherei / Powwow in its true, authentic form, as our ancestors practiced it within the context of their various Christian faiths. This is a place to meet others with similar backgrounds and interests. There are many workshops, talks, and events in Pennsylvania that I will post, which are opportunities for people to meet. Community was a major element in the Pennsylvania Dutch settlements that spread across Pennsylvania as our ancestors emigrated to this land, and we don't lose those values which are passed in our bloodline. And, of course fun; the Pennsylvania Dutch culture is full of folklore, food, and fun traditions. We will explore all of it here, from stories to recipes. Connection is what we will share here.
So, please stay tuned to my blog for videos, articles, events, and everything related to the lifestyle of a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow.
Upcoming Events
* November 12th, 2022 at 1:30 PM- History of the Powwow featuring Robert Phoenix at Lititz Historical Foundation in Lititz, Pennsylvania; Gretchen Swank also be speaking.
* November 20th, 2022 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM- Mountain Mary Exhibit & Discussion at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
https://kutztownfolkfestival.thundertix.com/events/203559
* December 3rd, 2022 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM- Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow Divination Workshop and Author Book Signing Event by Gretchen Swank at Metaphysical- A Spirited Space, 5 East 3rd Street, Lewistown PA 17044
* Coming February 2023: Legends and Lore of the Keystone State: An Exploration of the Strange and Curious in Penn's Woods--
This will be in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and it is a vendor event with all types of cool offerings. The Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow Phoenix Line of Cumberland County will have a booth there and I will be speaking and doing a Powwow presentation. Stay tuned for more information.
Your Pennsylvania Dutch Minute...
Tis the Halloween Season. I was doing some reading online and I came across this article, which can be found at http://researchingfoodhistory.blogspot.com/2017/10/tricks-done-on-halloween-in-pa-dutch.html?m=1
The article entitled, "Tricks" done on Halloween in Pa. Dutch areas related that Halloween was celebrated "roughly" in the mid-1800's by our Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors who would place displace parts of a wagon into separate trees, remove gates from their hinges, remove wooden steps, disassemble wagons and reassemble them inside a stable, and throwing corn and string beans at doors.
Sheeeeeesh!!!!! Can you imagine doing such things nowadays?
So, I Did a Thing... I Wrote This Book...
Please check it out. You can get your own copy through the Amazon link below.
There have been no traditional female voices on the subject of Pennsylvania Dutch Powwow since the 1800's when Ann Ossman co-authored a folk healing book with her son, Isaac Steel. So, I wanted very much for my feminine perspective of my life experience, research, and practice of Braucherei to be available for study. Powwow is NOT a "dead art," it is very much alive and well in its traditional form, as our ancestors practiced. It is engrained into the culture and lifestyle of the Pennsylvania Dutch people.
留言