Amanites, << uh MAN nyts, >> are members of a religious group called the Amana Church Society. The word Amana comes from the Song of Solomon 4: 8. It is the name of a mountain, and means true or fixed.
The society was founded by Eberhard Gruber and Johann Rock in Germany in 1714. It was originally called the Community of True Inspiration. Members led simple lives according to the word of God, revealed not only in the Bible but also in the “true inspiration” of their prophets. The last leader believed to be inspired died in 1885. But the group continued to read and study the testimonies of their past prophets.
Christian Metz and Barbara Heinemann brought the group to the United States in 1842. It settled near Buffalo, New York, and was called the Ebenezer Society. Members owned villages and lands in common. They moved to an area near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1855. They founded seven villages: Amana, East Amana, High Amana, Homestead, Middle Amana, South Amana, and West Amana. The Amanites farmed and made woolen goods and drugs. See Amana Colonies.
The society gave up its communal economic life in 1932, during the Great Depression. But the villagers continue to live a simple life, making crafts and operating restaurants that serve traditional foods. The society became a cooperative stock company known for manufacturing refrigerators and other household appliances. The religious members organized the Amana Church Society.
See also Brethren; Iowa (Places to visit).
