[caption id="attachment_10146" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Fishing in Bayou Gauche"]
[/caption]GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA - Carol Forsloff - Grand Isle is a place of beauty and rich culture, identified by the
diverse cultures of Louisiana, no more better defined than by Cajuns.
What is that way of life we hear about in the oil spill?
Historians
observe there are really three somewhat distinct Louisianas, each with a
different culture and orientation. This shapes the politics of the
state, with the New Orleans area somewhat more progressive and outgoing,
with its Spanish, French and African American influence, and the places
to the North that had the English mixes.There are variations, like is often said, those shades of gray.
The response to the oil spill can be measured in part by these variations.
To talk about the Louisiana way of life, one must understand the history
and geography of a state that has something to say about valor,
vigilance, dedication and courage in the face of adversity. It is the
story of the Cajuns, those people so prevalent on Grand Isle.
different culture and orientation. This shapes the politics of the
state, with the New Orleans area somewhat more progressive and outgoing,
with its Spanish, French and African American influence, and the places
to the North that had the English mixes.There are variations, like is often said, those shades of gray.
The response to the oil spill can be measured in part by these variations.
To talk about the Louisiana way of life, one must understand the history
and geography of a state that has something to say about valor,
vigilance, dedication and courage in the face of adversity. It is the
story of the Cajuns, those people so prevalent on Grand Isle.
The
first of the Louisianas lies north of Alexandria, where the French and
Spanish settled, but that was significantly impacted later by the
English settlements and migrations. The second is New Orleans, and the
third is the area surrounding Lafayette in both directions to Alexandria
and New Orleans. The Cajuns are among the most colorful and interesting
people of Louisiana. Theirs is a distinct culture that represents a
hardy lifestyle and a friendly warm embrace of strangers. These are the
people who conquered the swamps and made beauty in the long stretch of
lands that weave around the bayous.
A visit to Louisiana is incomplete without stopping in its premiere
Cajun capital Lafayette. This is the city where many of the oil tycoons
and administrators live. They join hands with the Cajuns and others in
bringing relative prosperity to otherwise wild and swampy lands. The
Cajuns, according to the historical overview provided by the tourist
center, originated from France settlements in Nova Scotia. They first
landed in the New World in 1605, but the small settlement's demise
occurred after English pirates attacked and claimed the territory. This
became the pattern for many years where the French would arrive in Nova
Scotia, claim the land, only to be in constant battle over the
territories. The pattern continued for 100 years. The Cajuns, or the
Acadians, learned to survive in their new homeland by forming alliances
with the Native Americans until the time they were forced to leave Nova
Scotia by the English.
It was in 1755 that the Cajuns experienced their greatest sorrow, when
they were evicted from Nova Scotia for refusing to take up arms against
France. They were taken by force from these lands under order of Gov.
Lawrence in concert with Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts. The Cajuns were
held prisoners by the English until boats arrived to remove them from
Nova Scotia. The second wave of deportations occurred in 1758. These
deportations continued until in 1785 1500 people were bound for
Louisiana. During a seven-year period 10,000 Acadians or Cajuns were
taken from their homes in Nova Scotia, and half of them died. When they
arrived in Acadiana, the Southern area of the State of Louisiana, they
were befriended by the Spanish when the lands were ceded to Spain, then
embraced by the French before becoming part of the Americas.
Lafayette is a testimony to the diligence and courage of the Cajun
people. The visitor is immediately struck by the friendliness and joy of
life expressed by these people. A day's tour of Lafayette gives the
impression that this culture is dynamic and capable of embracing new
ideas while giving reverence to traditions. On our travels we have seen
Lafayette before but it was never more beautiful than the memorial day
weekend. The lunch stop at a Cajun Café, a tour of the visitors center
and a variety of other experiences brought those of us who know and
appreciate Louisiana a renewed pleasure in this warm and friendly
culture of the Cajuns.
first of the Louisianas lies north of Alexandria, where the French and
Spanish settled, but that was significantly impacted later by the
English settlements and migrations. The second is New Orleans, and the
third is the area surrounding Lafayette in both directions to Alexandria
and New Orleans. The Cajuns are among the most colorful and interesting
people of Louisiana. Theirs is a distinct culture that represents a
hardy lifestyle and a friendly warm embrace of strangers. These are the
people who conquered the swamps and made beauty in the long stretch of
lands that weave around the bayous.
Carol Forsloff
Bayous of Louisiana
|
A visit to Louisiana is incomplete without stopping in its premiere
Cajun capital Lafayette. This is the city where many of the oil tycoons
and administrators live. They join hands with the Cajuns and others in
bringing relative prosperity to otherwise wild and swampy lands. The
Cajuns, according to the historical overview provided by the tourist
center, originated from France settlements in Nova Scotia. They first
landed in the New World in 1605, but the small settlement's demise
occurred after English pirates attacked and claimed the territory. This
became the pattern for many years where the French would arrive in Nova
Scotia, claim the land, only to be in constant battle over the
territories. The pattern continued for 100 years. The Cajuns, or the
Acadians, learned to survive in their new homeland by forming alliances
with the Native Americans until the time they were forced to leave Nova
Scotia by the English.
Carol Forsloff
Boats from Nova Scotia
|
It was in 1755 that the Cajuns experienced their greatest sorrow, when
they were evicted from Nova Scotia for refusing to take up arms against
France. They were taken by force from these lands under order of Gov.
Lawrence in concert with Gov. Shirley of Massachusetts. The Cajuns were
held prisoners by the English until boats arrived to remove them from
Nova Scotia. The second wave of deportations occurred in 1758. These
deportations continued until in 1785 1500 people were bound for
Louisiana. During a seven-year period 10,000 Acadians or Cajuns were
taken from their homes in Nova Scotia, and half of them died. When they
arrived in Acadiana, the Southern area of the State of Louisiana, they
were befriended by the Spanish when the lands were ceded to Spain, then
embraced by the French before becoming part of the Americas.
Carol Forsloff
Cajun Life
|
Lafayette is a testimony to the diligence and courage of the Cajun
people. The visitor is immediately struck by the friendliness and joy of
life expressed by these people. A day's tour of Lafayette gives the
impression that this culture is dynamic and capable of embracing new
ideas while giving reverence to traditions. On our travels we have seen
Lafayette before but it was never more beautiful than the memorial day
weekend. The lunch stop at a Cajun Café, a tour of the visitors center
and a variety of other experiences brought those of us who know and
appreciate Louisiana a renewed pleasure in this warm and friendly
culture of the Cajuns.
It is that way of life the people speak of when they talk about what they might lose as a result of the oil spill, a way of life that shows the culture of the Cajuns on Grand Isle and the mix and wonder that is Louisiana.
Carol Forsloff
Musical Instruments of the Cajuns
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say something constructive. Negative remarks and name-calling are not allowed.