Cajun History, Language, Music, Cuisine, and Culture.
Cajun Music: Alive and Well in Louisiana. By Ann Savoy. One of French Louisiana's most vital attractions is its music. Acadian music has undergone vast changes since arriving in Louisiana, to a large extent because those who play it today live so differently from earlier residents.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.What is Cajun music and where did it come from? Alan Lomax described the music of Poitou, the region in France most Acadians came from, as: Children were put aside and encouraged to sleep, giving the name fais do-do, or go to sleep, to these dances. Musicians wrote original songs telling of their life in the new world.
Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole -based, Cajun -influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin.Cajun music is evolved from its roots in the music of the French-speaking Catholics of Canada. In earlier years, the fiddle was the predominant instrument, but gradually the accordion has come to share the limelight. Cajun music gained national attention in 2007, when the Grammy Award for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album category was created.
Creoles of Africa descent exerted a strong influence on Cajun culture and vice versa, affecting, the Cajuns music, foodways, and religion.(Herrin,67) In 1952, they founded a preservation group, C.R.E.O.L.E, Inc., which stands for (Cultural Resourceful Educational Opportunities toward Linguistic Enrichment).
