Trip to the Hutterite Colony- June 2010

On 2 June I together with a coach load of others from the village went to visit the Hutterite Colony in Jenner. It was a very interesting day seeing and learning about how the Hutterites live. Hutterites are a communal branch of Anabaptists who live together in colonies and depend largely on farming or ranching. Each colony is virtually self-sufficient, constructing its own buildings, doing its own maintenance and repair on equipment, making its own clothes, etc. Hutterite colonies are male dominated with women having traditional roles such as cooking, sewing and childcare. Although women and children have no formal say in the running of a colony, they often have significant influence through a colony's social framework. It should not be assumed that Hutterite woman are passive and quiet about their views on matters of colony life. To the contrary, many Hutterite woman are strong, independent-minded individuals who find ways to voice their views and priorities through their husbands'.

All property within a colony is owned by the colony. Houses are built and assigned to families/couples upon marriage. Furniture is also made and given to individuals upon reaching a certain age or on specific occasions like marriage. Meals are taken by the entire colony in a dining room. Men and women sit at separate tables according to age and the men eat first. Houses have no white goods. Television and radio is no permitted. Hutterites of a certain age receive a small amount of money each month for themselves i.e. $10.

Hutterites are known for their simple living, plain dress and resistance to the adoption of many modern conveniences. Hutterite clothing can be vividly coloured but usually blue, purple and green. Women and girls wear identical clothing and a head scarf. Men's jackets and pants are always black and they wear hats outdoors. All clothing is handmade.

During our visit we were taken around the colony is groups. We visited the slaughter house, dining room, workshops (mechanical and carpentry), livestock and the school. Men are voted in to jobs and invariably learn trades on the job. Ladies predominately cook and look after the children. Although the lifestyle of a Hutterite is very different from our own it clearly works and everybody seems to accept their role and be happy. They are driven by religion and going to church plays a significant part in their daily routines. There are numerous colony rules but by all account they are not strictly enforced. Breaking of the rules usually results in an individual being chastised in front of a congregation at church.