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Louisiana Cajan and Creole Cuisines. Who are the cajuns?. Who is the Acadians?. History of the Cajuns. To South Louisiana in 1755. early 1630s. Most Acadians settled bayous of SW Louisiana. cattle ranches tobacco and indigo hunting and fishing shrimping, oyster harvesting, crawfish
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Who are the cajuns? Who is the Acadians?
To South Louisiana in 1755 early 1630s
Most Acadians settled bayous of SW Louisiana • cattle ranches • tobacco and indigo • hunting and fishing • shrimping, oyster harvesting, crawfish • subsistence farmers
Life on the Bayou • piroques • spoke French • socially and politically isolated • most were poor
Who else lived in area? • some native populations • Atakapa, Opelousas • some Spaniards • Canary islanders
Cajuns as an ethnic identity • late 1970s = Oil boom • SW Louisiana growing • Lafayette, Houma • popularity of “Cajunness”
Prior to Oil Boom • increased ethnic stereotypes • Coonasses • RCA • Rajin’ Cajuns of USwL • forbid to speak French
Who are the Louisiana Creoles? born in the colony mixed ancestry (Indian, African, French)
Cajuns and Creoles Were never the same 2 distinct populations
Creole as racial classification late 1800s White creoles Colored creoles
New Orleans as center Haitian refugees brought Caribbean and African elements combined with French tradition = Louisiana Creole
French Creoles remained separate Church, residential areas Diet Neutral Ground
Cajuns and Crayfish Mudbugs of the Atchafalaya Basin
Crayfish as mascot of ethnic identity Method of preparation and consumption
Crayfish season (Dec-May) Aquaculture =Commercial Crayfish ponds Crayfish Research Center ULLafayette
The Crayfish Boil • purge LIVE crayfish • season - cayenne pepper • boil • gender separation • consumption • number of people • accompanied by saltines and beer
Consumption Twist and Pull Crayfish heads
Crayfish meat industry Peeled crayfish meat - 1 lb bags Chinese crayfish industry
What else can you do with crayfish? • etouffee - crayfish stew over rice • bisque - clean and stuff heads • stuff peppers • crayfish pie