Director Mona Fastvold’s new film, “The Testament of Ann Lee,” stars Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee, the English spiritual seeker who founded the Shaker movement in America. The film’s trailer features striking imagery – snakes, emotional turmoil, dancing, and even scenes suggesting sexual encounters – set to intense music, hinting at the fervor of early Shaker ceremonies.
The trailer’s unsettling tone reflects the reaction the celibate Shakers provoked when they first emerged in America during the 1780s.
A Living Tradition
Fascination with the Shakers endures, and the faith itself persists. While the sect once numbered in the thousands, today only three Shakers remain, continuing their practices at their village in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, a community established in 1783.
The Shakers, officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, distinguished themselves from other Protestant Christians in many ways, most notably through their ecstatic worship, which involved violent shaking – hence the name given to them by outsiders. They referred to themselves as “Believers.”
Shaker worship uniquely blended music and dance. Until the 1870s, their music was monophonic, consisting of a single melodic line sung in unison without instrumental accompaniment, often believed to be divinely inspired. These melodies have influenced broader American musical culture, with composer Aaron Copland famously adapting Elder Joseph Brackett’s “Simple Gifts” for his ballet “Appalachian Spring,” which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1945.
A New Kind of Family
The Shakers originated in Manchester, England, in 1747. By 1770, followers believed that the spirit of Christ had returned through Ann Lee. However, the Shakers state that “Mother Ann was not Christ… simply the first of many Believers wholly embued by His spirit.”
In 1774, Lee led eight followers to settle near present-day Albany, New York. A core tenet of Shaker life was communal living, and families who joined the community dissolved traditional bonds, with husbands and wives becoming siblings, and parents and children the same.
Digital Collections, Hamilton College Library
Shakers do not believe that Jesus’ death atoned for the sins of mankind, and practice celibacy as a path to spiritual reunion with God, whom they believe is both male and female. Early accounts suggest that, in some cases, children even publicly denounced their parents in an effort to suppress earthly desires.
Initially viewed as a threat to societal norms – even suspected of being an English plot – the Shakers’ unique worship practices, including their distinctive dances, also alarmed outsiders. These dances evolved from spontaneous expressions of religious fervor into highly choreographed movements designed to instill discipline and unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the origin of the name “Shaker”?
Early observers dubbed the group “Shakers” because of the violent shaking movements exhibited by members during worship, which they believed manifested the holy spirit within them. While they initially referred to themselves as “Believers,” the name “Shakers” eventually became widely adopted.
What kind of music did the Shakers create?
Until the 1870s, Shaker music was monophonic, meaning it consisted of a single melodic line sung in unison without instrumental accompaniment. Many of their melodies were believed to be received from spirits and were recorded using a unique notation system.
How many Shakers are left today?
As of 2025, only three Shakers remain, continuing their traditions at their village in Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
Will Fastvold’s film spark renewed interest in the Shakers and their enduring legacy?
Related reading