Wendish Fest (Texas Country Reporter)

Summary

In Serban, Texas, the Windish (Wendish) community preserves its cultural heritage through the weekly tradition of noodle-making. Since 1992, Hattie and her family have made hundreds of pounds of noodles, a process that symbolizes their connection to their ancestors who fled oppression in Germany in the mid-19th century. These noodles, often cooked with butter and chicken broth, are a beloved part of local culture and are celebrated annually at the Windish Fest. This festival, along with the efforts of the Windish Heritage Society, keeps the community's traditions alive, ensuring that their unique identity endures for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Repetition is crucial for perfecting noodle-making, as consistency ensures the texture comes out right.
• 😀 Hattie, her daughter, and niece have been making noodles every week since 1992, producing up to 260 pounds a week.
• 😀 The noodle-making process includes fluffing the noodles to prevent them from sticking together, which is referred to as 'noodle fluffing'.
• 😀 Despite having made countless noodles, Hattie never tires of eating them, often turning to them for comfort when she feels unwell.
• 😀 The noodles made by Hattie and her family are a local staple, used by markets and restaurants around the area.
• 😀 The noodle-making tradition is linked to the Windish community in Serban, Texas, which was founded by German-speaking people who fled oppression in the 1850s.
• 😀 The Windish people, originally from Germany, sought religious and economic freedom in Texas and established a tight-knit community.
• 😀 While the Windish language is nearly extinct, efforts to preserve their culture include the Windish Heritage Society and celebrations like Windish Fest.
• 😀 The annual Windish Fest celebrates the traditions of the Windish people, including food, dancing, and crafts, and is a key event for preserving their heritage.
• 😀 Hattie’s famous noodles are a highlight of the Windish Fest, with every noodle sale supporting the community's cultural preservation efforts.

Q & A

What is the importance of repetition in making noodles, according to the script?

Repetition is crucial in making noodles to ensure that the texture comes out correctly. The script mentions that without consistent repetition, the noodles won't turn out right.

How long has Hattie and her family been making noodles?

Hattie and her family have been making noodles every week since 1992.

How many batches of noodles does the family typically make in a week?

The family usually makes 21 batches of noodles each week, which amounts to about 250 to 260 pounds of noodles.

What is the role of fluffing the noodles during the process?

Fluffing the noodles helps prevent them from sticking together, ensuring they are properly separated and prepared for cooking.

Why does Hattie prefer using chicken broth to cook the noodles?

Hattie believes that cooking the noodles in chicken broth, along with butter, gives them a better taste, resembling a German noodle flavor.

Does Hattie ever get tired of eating noodles?

No, Hattie never gets tired of eating noodles. She even mentioned that when she wasn't feeling well, she cooked herself a pot of noodles for supper.

What historical background does the script provide about the Windish people?

The Windish people were a minority group in Germany who faced oppression in the 1850s. In 1854, around 600 Windish people migrated to Texas to escape economic, educational, and religious hardships.

How did the Windish community in Serban sustain their cultural identity?

The Windish community in Serban sustained their culture through practices like language preservation, religious conviction, and traditions, such as the annual Windish Fest, which celebrates their heritage.

What is the Windish Fest, and why is it significant?

The Windish Fest is an annual celebration in Serban that showcases Windish traditions such as egg painting, dancing, and sauerkraut making. It is important as it helps preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Windish people.

How does the Windish Heritage Society contribute to preserving Windish culture?

The Windish Heritage Society plays a significant role in preserving Windish culture by organizing events like Windish Fest and promoting the traditions of their ancestors, such as Hattie's famous noodles.