The Powwow Guy

When the waves of immigration began in the 1600's from the German-speaking lands to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, a majority of those first brave souls settled in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania. As time passed, those folks moved north and east of Philadelphia and eventually the Pennsylvania Dutch Country was created.

The vast majority of Pennsylvania Dutch Country is the middle Eastern section of Pennsylvania, the southeast, and the south central counties of the state (as seen in the below image). Certainly, German-speaking immigrants have infiltrated all areas of the Commonwealth, but those that were exclusively "Pennsylvania Dutch" tended to stick to these particular regions.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Country is marked by it's architecture, culture, folk art, and way of life. Even in the modern day, the influence of the farming and gardening and religious traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch remains. Indeed, the Pennsylvania Dutch country is often referred to as "the Hex Belt", which is the region where Powwowing has a strong history and remains a part of the modern culture.

I think the Pennsylvania Dutch are an extremely interesting culture as we have traditions and beliefs that have influenced religious and holiday traditions throughout our entire country. But nowhere are these traditions more prevalent than here in the region that is PA Dutch Country.

May God Bless you all in all that you do.