Chapter Five- New Orlean's link to the Atlantic Periphery

The Atlantic Periphery is made up of the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. While this area of North America is a long way from New Orleans, Louisiana, there is a historical link that connects the two areas.

Map of Acadia area of Nova Scotia circa 1776 (Source: Google Images)


CAJUN ('ka:-j@n), n. A person of French Canadian descent born or living along the
bayous, marshes, and prairies of southern Louisiana. The word Cajun began in 19th
century Acadie (now Nova Scotia, Canada) when the Acadians began to arrive. The
French of noble ancestry would say, "les Acadiens", while some referred to the Acadians
as "le 'Cadiens", dropping the "A". Later came the Americans who could not pronounce
"Acadien" or "'Cadien", so the word "Cajun" was born.

Cajuns are people originally from Acadia in the Atlantic Periphery area of Nova Scotia.  Today they live scattered throughout southern Louisiana and they maintain the vibrant culture that the original French settlers from Atlantic Canada were known for.  After the Seven Years' War between France and Great Britain, France had been defeated.  The French Acadians were exiled from land that they had occupied for over a century. This process was known as "The Great Disturbance". The exiles settled  in many locations including  the British North American colonies, France, England, the Caribbean, and for some , a Spanish colony known as Louisiana.

While the Cajuns lived in what was to become a predominately English speaking country, they held on to their language throughout the 19th century. Cajun French was largely spoken in the home. The Louisiana state Constitution in 1921 required that  school curricula be taught in English statewide, which greatly reduced exposure to Cajun French to young people.

Cajuns are known for their cuisine which along with Creole food is legendary in New Orleans. Famous dishes include Crawfish Etoufee, File Gumbo, and Jambalaya. Crawfish boils are popular as are dishes incorporating Andouille and Boudin Sausages.


(food network photo)

For several generations, the Cajuns raised various crops and lived on the bayous where they fished and trapped. Today, Cajuns are famous for their unique French dialect, their music, their spicy cooking and for their ability to live life to the fullest. As the Cajuns say: Laissaz les Bon Temps Roulez!
or
Let the good times roll!




Information sources: About Geography.Com, The State of Louisiana website and Geography of North America Text (Hardwick)