What makes a person a Cajun?

What makes a person a Cajun?

Cajun, descendant of Roman Catholic French Canadians whom the British, in the 18th century, drove from the captured French colony of Acadia (now Nova Scotia and adjacent areas) and who settled in the fertile bayou lands of southern Louisiana. The Cajuns today form small, compact, generally self-contained communities.

What defines a Cajun?

Most historians define Cajuns as an ethnic group of Acadian descent. Acadians are French settlers who made their way to Canada. Easily identified by their distinguished Cajun-French accents, today, Cajuns are known for their vibrant music (including Zydeco), lively dancing and delectable cuisine.

What kind of people are Cajun people?

Cajuns are the French colonists who settled the Canadian maritime provinces (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) in the 1600s. The settlers named their region “Acadia,” and were known as “Acadians.” In 1745, the British threatened to expel the Acadians unless they pledged allegiance to the King of England.

What is the Cajun culture like?

Cajuns are one of the most unique cultures and ethnic groups in the United States. Primarily located in rural Southern Louisiana, the culture is defined by its French roots which are easily seen in their own distinct Cajun French dialect, societal norms, music, and food.

What are some unique characteristics of Cajuns?

These characteristics include: Strong ties with family and environment: Cajun family members tend to remain in the same locale year after year, generation after generation. Consequently, we are able to draw on the strength of the family in dealing with the problems of everyday life.

What race is a Cajun person?

Today, common understanding holds that Cajuns are white and Creoles are Black or mixed race; Creoles are from New Orleans, while Cajuns populate the rural parts of South Louisiana. In fact, the two cultures are far more related—historically, geographically, and genealogically—than most people realize.

What race is Cajun?

Most Cajuns are of French descent. The Cajuns make up a significant portion of south Louisiana’s population and have had an enormous impact on the state’s culture.

What is Cajun lifestyle?

Cajun is a lifestyle that defines families, traditions, and experiences. And at its heart, Cajun is about people- not just the folks who live here, but also our visitors, who we welcome like family and encourage embracing our authentic way of life.

What are Cajuns known for?

Since their establishment in Louisiana, the Cajuns have become famous for their unique French dialect, Louisiana French (also called “Cajun French”, although the dialect predates the Acadians’ arrival in Louisiana), and have developed a vibrant culture including folkways, music, and cuisine.

What did the Southerners think of the Cajuns?

The Cajun who worked hard was considered to be a rarity and the rest of them were considered to be mere squatters. Southerners on the whole, did not think much of the Cajun people and their culture because their values greatly negated the close-knit American values of wealth and progress.

What kind of language do the Cajuns speak?

Since their establishment in Louisiana, the Cajuns have become famous for their unique French dialect, Louisiana French (also called “Cajun French,” although the dialect predates the Acadians’ arrival in Louisiana), and have developed a vibrant culture including folkways, music, and cuisine.

Is there a decline in the Cajun culture?

Yes, Americanization has definitely resulted in a sharp decline in the ethnic culture of the Cajun people. Faced with almost going extinct, the Cajun culture has displayed its most impressive ethnic trait by surviving such tests and by prospering in the face of adversity.

Where do Cajuns live in the United States?

Strong Cajun roots, influence, and culture can also be found in parts of Southern Mississippi. These areas include Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Gulfport, Gautier, Natchez, D’Iberville, and Biloxi, Mississippi.