The Donauschwaben are ethnic Germans that lived outside of Germany in the Slavic regions of Eastern Europe predominately along the Danube River.
Our ancestors left what we would now call Southern Germany during the 18th century to better their lives. They were offered free farm land along the then barren areas of the Danube River. With an agreement to work this land, they left their original homeland.
They remained in these settled areas for centuries developing entire Donauschwaben villages amongst the locals. During this time, they retained their German language and customs while incorporating aspects from the surrounding cultures thus creating the unique Donauschwaben culture.
The purpose of the United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee is to keep the Donauschwaben heritage alive while promoting the language, foods and customs to the public at large.
Our ancestors left what we would now call Southern Germany during the 18th century to better their lives. They were offered free farm land along the then barren areas of the Danube River. With an agreement to work this land, they left their original homeland.
They remained in these settled areas for centuries developing entire Donauschwaben villages amongst the locals. During this time, they retained their German language and customs while incorporating aspects from the surrounding cultures thus creating the unique Donauschwaben culture.
The purpose of the United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee is to keep the Donauschwaben heritage alive while promoting the language, foods and customs to the public at large.
The Donauschwaben Wappen (Coat of Arms) is symbolic of the history of the Donauschwaben, making it a valuable key to understanding our culture and backgroup.
* The ascending eagle holds its wings protectively over the waves of a blue river which divides this coat of arms into two equal halves.
* The eagle symbolizes Germany, where many of the Donauschwaben people originally migrated from.
* The river, you may have guessed, is the Danube River—the longest river in all of Europe. In German, the Danube is called the Donau.
* The lower portion features the fortress Temeschburg standing in fertile farmlands, which was one of the primary attractions to migrating along the Danube River.
* On the right is a waning moon, sumbolic of the retreating Turkish threat.
* On the left is a rising sun, symbolic of Chrisitianity.
* The six towers represent the six main regions settled by the Donauschwaben in the 18th century, stretching from the Raab river in the northwest to the Iron Gate in the southeast.
* The ascending eagle holds its wings protectively over the waves of a blue river which divides this coat of arms into two equal halves.
* The eagle symbolizes Germany, where many of the Donauschwaben people originally migrated from.
* The river, you may have guessed, is the Danube River—the longest river in all of Europe. In German, the Danube is called the Donau.
* The lower portion features the fortress Temeschburg standing in fertile farmlands, which was one of the primary attractions to migrating along the Danube River.
* On the right is a waning moon, sumbolic of the retreating Turkish threat.
* On the left is a rising sun, symbolic of Chrisitianity.
* The six towers represent the six main regions settled by the Donauschwaben in the 18th century, stretching from the Raab river in the northwest to the Iron Gate in the southeast.
