Amish, also called Amish Mennonite, member of a Christian group in North America, primarily the Old Order Amish Mennonite Church. The church originated in the late 17th century among followers of Jakob Ammann.
Despite their presence in a country dominated by popular culture, the Amish have been able to survive, and thrive, as a group cut-off from mainstream society. The Amish flourish as a tradition-based folk culture in the midst of a progressive dominant culture whose values are very different. The Amish culture has fared well under the spirit of religious freedom and political accommodation given to them in North America.
