ZEGG

Structure and Activities

ZEGG now has about seventy adults (two-thirds of whom are women) and twenty children. Members are well educated, many with professional training, and range in age from twenties to seventies, with most being in their thirties and forties. Their demographic profile is similar to that of most communal groups around the globe.

ZEGG has a mixed economy. Guest programs and conferences, often in English, are a major source of communal income. In 2001, ZEGG even hosted the International Communal Studies Association conference, with delegates coming from around the globe. Members operate a small publishing house (Berghof), an environmental planning consultancy (Ökotec), and ecological building firms. Other members manage ZEGG's pub (Dorfkneipe), bookshop, and cafe. Several members work locally as salespeople, social workers, or teachers. One of ZEGG's weaknesses is that its economic base is not able to support more of its members, meaning that many must work outside.

Most of ZEGG's organic food is grown by three full-time gardeners; two members work as kitchen managers, and one manages the guest house. Three vegetarian meals are prepared by members and served daily in the communal dining room, which seats more than one hundred people. ZEGG has a large swimming pool, sauna, art rooms, library, and many other features that enable members to live cultured and contented lives.

ZEGG has its own water supply and biologically treats its wastes. Solid wastes are composted, then used as fertilizer. Community members are retrofitting their buildings, increasing insulation, and using passive-solar and other environmentally sensible design. ZEGG buildings are heated, and hot water is provided from a central heating plant fueled by (waste) wood chips.

Liberated Love

ZEGG is most famous (or perhaps infamous) for its polyamorous lifestyle (having multiple loving relationships), which members prefer to call liberated love. Liberated love at ZEGG means more than having sex with many partners, although that is included; at ZEGG, members strive for love free of fear, mistrust, and jealousy, because, as one member states, “if you are really free of these, then you will surely go to several lovers.” Another member says that liberated love is “where I do not have to pretend not to feel sexually attracted to others. Jealousy exists, but is dealt with differently, not thrown at the beloved partner with a mountain of accusations.” Many members are in stable, long-term relationships, although generally not monogamous. While ZEGG has been accused of being anti-homosexual, such relationships are accepted and are more common between women than between men. Sexual relations frequently occur between members and guests, with precautions taken against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Because there is no marital boundary around the communal group, ZEGG should be considered polyamorous rather than polyfidelous (having multiple committed relationships). ZEGG's birthrate has been low but, with more stability, is increasing. Children live with their parents until about six, then are communally reared in ZEGG's Children's House. Some young people have stayed at ZEGG after their parents have left. ZEGG youth appear to be more conservative, generally speaking, than their parents.

...