What defines Cajun music?
Most people identify Cajun music with Louisiana's Acadian settlers and their descendants, the Cajuns, but this music in fact refers to an indigenous mixture with complex roots in Irish, African, German, Appalachian as well as Acadian traditions.
Cajun music (French: Musique cadienne), an emblematic music of Louisiana played by the Cajuns, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Although they are two separate genres, Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based zydeco music.
Cajun music and zydeco are closely related parallel music forms. Cajun music is the music of the white Cajuns of south Louisiana, while zydeco is the music of the black Creoles of the same region. Both share common origins and influences, and there is much overlap in the repertoire and style of each.
Cajun music was first recorded in New Orleans in 1928. The major record companies made the rounds of the south recording hillbilly, blues, Cajun and other ethnic music styles.
The term "Creole music" is used to describe both the early folk or roots music traditions of French and Metis rural Creoles of South Louisiana and the later more contemporary genre called zydeco. It was often simply called French music or La La.
For Cajuns were—and are—a subset of Louisiana Creoles. 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.
Louisiana Creole cuisine (French: cuisine créole, Louisiana Creole: manjé kréyòl, Spanish: cocina criolla) is a style of cooking originating in Louisiana, United States, which blends West African, French, Spanish, and Amerindian influences, as well as influences from the general cuisine of the Southern United States.
The return of the accordion (1940s through 1970s)
This era is named for the cultural "Cajun Renaissance" movement of the late 1960s to the present, a period in Louisiana of burgeoning pride in the local Cajun and Creole culture and interest in preserving the French language and uniquely Louisiana traditions.
Since their establishment in Louisiana, the Cajuns have become famous for their French dialect, Louisiana French (also called "Cajun French"), and have developed a vibrant culture including folkways, music, and cuisine. The Acadiana region is heavily associated with them.
While both musical styles feature the accordion prominently, they are characterized by different types of accordions. Cajun accordions have a single row of diatonic keys, while zydeco players use a button accordion or a piano accordion, which has multiple rows of buttons or keys.
What is New Orleans music called?
New Orleans, Louisiana, is especially known for its strong association with jazz music, universally considered to be the birthplace of the genre. The earliest form was dixieland, which has sometimes been called traditional jazz, 'New Orleans', and 'New Orleans jazz'.
The Cajun Music Icons
Performers such as Iry LeJeune, Lawrence Walker, Aldus Roger and the Lafayette Playboys, the Balfa Brothers, Harry Choates (a.k.a. "The Fiddle King of Cajun Swing") and D.L. Menard (a.k.a. "The Cajun Hank Williams") helped develop and stretch the sound throughout the 20th century.
- Guitar.
- Bass Guitar and Upright Bass.
- Accordion.
- Fiddle.
- Drums and Percussion.
- Harmonica.
- Triangle.
- Steel Guitar.
Cajun culture is one that truly fits the classic American idea of a “melting pot.” Cajuns are the descendants of Roman Catholic French Canadians, displaced by the British from French colony of Acadia, who thereafter settled the bayous of southern Louisiana.
A creole is a language that comes from a simplified version of another language, or the mix of two or more languages. In Haiti, people speak a creole that's mostly based on French. When a new language is a variation on one or more older languages, you can call it a creole.
It derives from criollo, a variation of the Spanish verb criar, meaning to raise, or bring up. The term originally referred to the New World-born offspring of Old World-born parents.
The essence of Creole is found in rich sauces, local herbs, red ripe tomatoes, and the prominent use of seafood, caught in local waters. It is associated with the old-line kitchens of New Orleans, where generations of traditions are carried on today.
The word Cajun began in 19th century Acadie. 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.
One can also see that the two sects of people practise and love different music. However, one can come across many similarities in music between Creole and Cajun music. Where Cajun music is more jazz-oriented and blues-based, Creole music has a more Caribbean and West African feel to it.
In colonial Louisiana the term "Creole" was used to indicate New World products derived from Old World stock, and could apply to identity, architecture, and food ways. Regarding identity, Creole historically referred to those born in Louisiana during the French and Spanish periods, regardless of their ethnicity.
What are the four types of Creole?
According to their external history, four types of creoles have been distinguished: plantation creoles, fort creoles, maroon creoles, and creolized pidgins.
Creole, Spanish Criollo, French Créole, originally, any person of European (mostly French or Spanish) or African descent born in the West Indies or parts of French or Spanish America (and thus naturalized in those regions rather than in the parents' home country).
What is Cajun French? Cajun French is the term generally used to describe the variety of French spoken in South Louisiana.
They go from the most basic mouth box, cigar box fiddle, and vest washboard to fiddle, mandolin, and diatonic accordion. The latter was developed by Cajun craftsmen during World War II when German models were no longer available.
The word Cajun popped up in the 19th century to describe the Acadian people of Louisiana. The Acadians were descendants of the French Canadians who were settling in southern Louisiana and the Lafayette region of the state. They spoke a form of the French language and today, the Cajun language is still prevalent.
Unofficial religious customs and traditions are certainly a part of Roman Catholicism as it is practiced by Cajuns, Creoles, and other groups in southern Louisiana who also practice the official, organized religion.
Cajun food is famous for being very well seasoned which is sometimes misunderstood as spicy. Seasoning is one of the most important parts of Cajun cooking, and that comes from much more than a heavy helping of cayenne pepper. Most dishes begin with a medley of vegetables based on the French mirepoix.
Cajuns live in close-knit communities. They speak a language that is a combination of old French forms with phrases taken from their English, Spanish, German, Native American, and Black neighbors. Cajuns are known for the culture that they have created, especially their music and food.
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.
In present Louisiana, Creole generally means a person or people of mixed colonial French, African American and Native American ancestry. The term Black Creole refers to freed slaves from Haiti and their descendants.
Who is considered the king of zydeco?
Section 107. Chenier, Clifton (1925–1987). Clifton Chenier, accordionist and zydeco musician widely considered the “King of Zydeco,” was born in Opelousas, Louisiana, on June 25, 1925. His father, Joseph Chenier, was a black Creole sharecropper who was an amateur accordion player.
Cajun Jitterbug is a style of Cajun dancing with two variations. The main style is a classic two-step form of a six-count East Coast Swing, which is differentiated from the one-step Cajun Jig.
Music commemorates good times and bad in New Orleans
and the Marsalis family. It's a place where gospel music achieves lofty heights and marching bands step, dip and sway down well-worn parade routes. It's a place where Mardi Gras Indians first inspired the call and response now associated with hip-hop, rap and bounce.
The birthplace of jazz, zydeco, Cajun, and swamp pop, Louisiana has also inspired genres ranging from blues and country to hip-hop, gospel, rap, and rock 'n' roll. With music filling the streets, it's no wonder that Louisiana has produced incredible musical talent.
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.”
Louisiana Cajun culture thrives in New Orleans and South Louisiana. Cajuns were never long-term settlers in the city of New Orleans. A population always geared more to rural countryside, Cajuns settled in South Louisiana from the parishes west of New Orleans extending all the way to Texas.
Religious Beliefs. The Cajuns were and are mainly Roman Catholic. Experts suggest that the traditional culture cannot be understood unless the central role of the Catholic church is considered.
Industrious and hardworking: This dates back not only to their ancestors' days as farmers, trappers and fishermen in Nova Scotia but also to their ancestors' ancestors' days as members of the working class of France.
Cajuns retained a unique dialect of the French language (Cajun French) and are often depicted as a rustic people who make their living fishing, trapping, hunting and farming. However, Cajuns today primarily speak English and work in every imaginable profession.
Zydeco music is typically played in an uptempo, syncopated manner with a strong rhythmic core, and often incorporates elements of blues, rock and roll, soul music, R&B, Afro-Caribbean, Cajun, and early Creole music.
Why are they called Cajuns?
The word Cajun began in 19th century Acadie. 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.
In colonial Louisiana the term "Creole" was used to indicate New World products derived from Old World stock, and could apply to identity, architecture, and food ways. Regarding identity, Creole historically referred to those born in Louisiana during the French and Spanish periods, regardless of their ethnicity.
Though often times used interchangeably, Cajun and Creole are two distinct ethnic groups with their own unique history, traditions and culture.
Acadians are the ancestors of present-day Cajuns. Originally from the West Central part of France, they were peasants recruited as part of France's efforts to colonize Canada in the 17th century.
Most Cajun songs are either two-steps or waltzes and are written to accompany particular dance steps. While there is no question that the music "belongs" to the Cajun people, it also incorporates influences from Irish, German, African, Native American and Appalachian traditions.
zydeco, Form of dance music from southwestern Louisiana, U.S., with roots in French, African American, and Afro-Caribbean styles. Similar to the music of the Cajuns (displaced French Canadians who settled in Louisiana), zydeco was created by the Creoles (those of African heritage in Louisianan French culture).
zy·de·co ˈzī-də-ˌkō often attributive. : popular music of southern Louisiana that combines tunes of French origin with elements of Caribbean music and the blues and that features guitar, washboard, and accordion.
