United States: Louisiana Cajuns are keen to preserve their identity | Revisited • FRANCE 24 English

Summary

The video script explores the rich history and cultural heritage of French-speaking communities in Louisiana, USA. It delves into the origins of French Louisiana, the impact of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, and the challenges faced by the Cajun people, descendants of French-speaking Acadians. The narrative highlights the efforts to preserve the French language and traditions amidst Americanization policies and the resurgence of French in education. The script also showcases the vibrant Cajun lifestyle, music, and food, emphasizing the community's resilience and commitment to their unique identity.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The state of Louisiana has a rich French heritage, with cities named Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, reflecting its French influence.
• 🌏 French Louisiana was originally a vast territory stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, but it gradually diminished as parts were ceded to other nations.
• 🤴 Rene Robert Cavalli, Sieur de La Salle, explored the Mississippi Basin in 1682 and claimed the land for King Louis XIV, leading to its name, French Louisiana.
• 📜 The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 saw Napoleon Bonaparte sell the territory to the United States for $15 million, significantly expanding the U.S. territory.
• 🗣️ French-speaking Acadians, also known as Cajuns, moved to Louisiana after being displaced from their original settlements in the northern region known as Acadia.
• 🚫 In 1916, the use of French was prohibited in schools in Louisiana, and the 1921 Louisiana Constitution only authorized the use of English, leading to the decline of the French language in the region.
• 👥 Despite the decline, Cajuns still make up nearly 10% of Louisiana's population and continue to fight for the preservation of their language and traditions.
• 🎵 Cajun music and culture are integral parts of Louisiana's identity, with traditional instruments like the violin passed down through generations.
• 🍽️ Cajun cuisine is a reflection of the region's history and is deeply rooted in the local culture, with dishes like boudin and Tasso being local delicacies.
• 📚 There has been a movement since the 1960s to rehabilitate the French language in Louisiana, with special French-English programs introduced in schools.
• 📺 The first French-speaking broadcast media in the region, 'Tilly Louisiana,' was launched to help revitalize the French language among the younger generation.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the name 'Louisiana'?

Louisiana was named in honor of King Louis XIV of France by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who explored the Mississippi Basin in 1682 and took possession of the territory for France.

How did the French territory in North America change over time?

The French territory, originally stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, gradually eroded as the French ceded western Louisiana to Spain and the Canadian region to Great Britain. The final dissolution occurred in 1803 when Napoleon Bonaparte sold the territory to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.

What is the origin of the term 'Cajun'?

The term 'Cajun' comes from 'Acadian,' referring to French-speaking people who moved from the northern region of Acadia to present-day Louisiana after their gradual displacement by the British during the 18th century.

Why was the use of French prohibited in Louisiana schools in 1916?

In 1916, the use of French was prohibited in Louisiana schools as part of a broader effort to assimilate the French-speaking population into American culture and to strengthen the use of English in education.

What impact did the Louisiana Constitution of 1921 have on the French language?

The Louisiana Constitution of 1921 only authorized the use of the English language, further marginalizing the French-speaking community and contributing to the decline of the French language in the state.

What is the current status of the French-speaking community in Louisiana?

Despite the decline in the use of French from generation to generation, the French-speaking community, known as Cajuns, still represents almost 10% of Louisiana's population and continues to fight to preserve their language and traditions.

How did the French influence shape the culture of South Louisiana?

The French influence shaped the culture of South Louisiana through a mix of French, Acadian, Indian, and Creole influences, with the French language being a common thread, especially in the form of Cajun French spoken in the region.

What is the significance of the Cajun culture in the preservation of French traditions?

The Cajun culture is significant in the preservation of French traditions as it represents a living connection to the French-speaking ancestors who settled in Louisiana. The culture is kept alive through oral tradition, music, and maintaining traditional ways of life.

What efforts have been made to rehabilitate the French language in Louisiana?

Efforts to rehabilitate the French language in Louisiana include the introduction of special French-English programs in schools in the 1960s, the establishment of French-speaking broadcast media like Té Léman, and the promotion of French through art and cultural events.

How do Cajun people maintain their cultural identity today?

Cajun people maintain their cultural identity today by preserving their language, practicing traditional music and dance, upholding culinary traditions, and passing down their heritage through generations within families and communities.

What is the role of the younger generation in the future of the French language in Louisiana?

The younger generation plays a crucial role in the future of the French language in Louisiana as they are seen as the custodians of an endangered identity. Efforts are being made to engage them in the preservation and revitalization of the French language and culture.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 French Influence in Louisiana

This paragraph discusses the historical roots of French influence in Louisiana, starting with the exploration by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who claimed the territory for King Louis XIV in the 17th century. It outlines the territorial changes over time, including the cession of parts of Louisiana to Spain and Britain, and the migration of French-speaking Acadians from Canada to Louisiana. The narrative also touches on the significant event in 1803 when Napoleon Bonaparte sold Louisiana to the United States. Despite the decline in the use of French language, the Cajun community, which makes up nearly 10% of the state's population, continues to fight for the preservation of their language and traditions.

05:01

👥 The Cajun Identity and Cultural Struggles

This paragraph delves into the history of the Cajuns, descendants of the Acadians who were displaced by the British in the 18th century and settled in the marshlands of Louisiana. It highlights the efforts of individuals like Not Valid Law, a descendant of Acadians, who has lived in Louisiana his entire life and still practices traditional activities like fishing and hunting alligators. The paragraph also discusses the suppression of the French language in schools and the stigmatization of the Cajun people, which led to a generation known as the 'Lost Generation' who did not learn French. The narrative includes the story of Mike Francis, a painter who, despite being born to French-speaking parents, only speaks English due to the Americanization campaign.

10:02

🎼 Revival and Preservation of French Language in Louisiana

This paragraph focuses on the efforts to revive and preserve the French language and Cajun culture in Louisiana. It describes the 1960s movement aimed at rehabilitating French and the introduction of French-English programs in schools. The narrative introduces figures like Wilma, who, despite not having French-sounding names, launched 'Tilly Louisiana,' the first French-speaking broadcast media in the region. The paragraph also touches on the importance of food and music in maintaining cultural heritage, with individuals like Thibodaux, who learned to play the violin by listening to his elders and now sings with his daughter, embodying the transmission of oral tradition and music.

15:03

👨‍👧‍👧 Passing on the Cajun Legacy to Future Generations

The final paragraph emphasizes the commitment of the Cajun community to pass on their culture and language to future generations. It tells the story of Thibodaux, who decided to raise his daughters in French, despite the prevalence of American culture. The paragraph also discusses the growth in the number of French speakers in Louisiana, from about 100,000 to around 250,000, and the community's perception of themselves as special people who are both American citizens and custodians of an endangered identity. The narrative concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future of the French language in Louisiana, with the youth seen as the key to its preservation.

Keywords

💡French Louisiana

French Louisiana refers to the vast territory in North America that was once under French control, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. It is central to the video's theme as it sets the historical context for the presence of French-speaking communities in Louisiana. The script mentions that the region was named in honor of King Louis XIV by René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who explored the Mississippi Basin in 1682.

💡Acadians or Cajuns

Acadians or Cajuns are descendants of French-speaking immigrants from Acadia, a region in what is now eastern Canada. They moved to Louisiana after being displaced by the British in the 18th century. The video discusses their cultural and linguistic heritage, which is under threat but still being preserved by the community, as seen in the script where it mentions the gradual dissolving of the French territory and the movement of Acadians to Louisiana.

💡Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was a significant event in 1803 when Napoleon Bonaparte sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States for $15 million. This acquisition is mentioned in the script as a pivotal moment in the history of the region, leading to its integration into the U.S. and the subsequent cultural shifts that occurred.

💡Cajun French

Cajun French is a dialect of French spoken by the Cajuns in Louisiana. It is an important part of their cultural identity, as highlighted in the script where it discusses the prohibition of French in schools in 1916 and the efforts to preserve the language by the Cajun community. The script also mentions 'Cajun French' as the name of the language spoken by those who settled in the region three centuries ago.

💡Americanization

Americanization in the context of the video refers to the historical efforts to assimilate the French-speaking population of Louisiana into American culture, particularly through language policies. The script mentions a campaign launched in 1921 by Louisiana authorities to Americanize the local population, which included banning the use of French in schools and promoting English.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts, traditions, and values that are handed down from one generation to another. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving the Cajun cultural heritage, which includes language, music, and traditional practices. The script provides examples of individuals like Thibodaux who keep traditions alive by living a lifestyle that reflects their heritage.

💡Cajun Music

Cajun music is a genre that reflects the Acadian culture and history of Louisiana. It is a significant part of the community's cultural heritage, as shown in the script where Thibodaux plays the violin, a traditional instrument, and sings with his daughter, passing down the music from generation to generation.

💡French-speaking Broadcast Media

The script introduces 'Tilly Louisiana,' the first French-speaking broadcast media in the region, launched by Wilma and Drakkar. This represents a modern effort to promote and preserve the French language in Louisiana, providing a platform for the French-speaking community to connect and share their culture.

💡Cajun Cuisine

Cajun cuisine is a style of cooking native to the Acadiana region of Louisiana, characterized by its use of local ingredients like pork, crayfish, and alligator. The script mentions Thibodaux's company that makes local delicacies like boudin and tasso, reflecting the importance of food in preserving and expressing the region's cultural identity.

💡Endangered Identity

The term 'endangered identity' in the script refers to the unique cultural and linguistic identity of the French-speaking community in Louisiana, which is at risk of being lost due to assimilation and language suppression. The video discusses the efforts of the community to protect and revitalize this identity, as seen in the growth of French speakers from 100,000 to 250,000.

💡Oral Tradition

Oral tradition is the passing of information, stories, and cultural practices from one generation to the next through spoken communication rather than written records. The script highlights the importance of oral tradition in the Cajun community, as seen in Thibodaux learning to play the violin by listening to his elders and now teaching his daughter the same way.

Highlights

Louisiana has a rich French heritage with cities like Baton Rouge and Lafayette having French names.

Rene Robert Cavalli Aliceau explored the Mississippi Basin in 1682, naming the territory French Louisiana in honor of King Louis XIV.

French Louisiana originally stretched from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico but gradually eroded over time.

French speakers from Acadia moved to Louisiana, becoming known as Cajuns, preserving their French language and culture.

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 saw Napoleon Bonaparte sell Louisiana to the United States for $5 million plus $10 million for New Orleans.

Despite the French-speaking community's importance, French was prohibited in schools in 1916 and the Louisiana Constitution in 1921 only authorized English.

Cajuns, representing almost 10% of Louisiana's population, continue to fight to preserve their French language and traditions.

Fanny Alala revisits Cajun country, exploring the mix of French, Acadian, Indian, and Creole influences, all connected by the French language.

Mucho Miedo and Robbie, Louisiana-born farmers, embody the American Dream with a Cajun twist, preserving their heritage through hard work and tradition.

Thibodaux, a descendant of Acadians, keeps traditions alive by hunting alligators and looking after cattle and horses, away from the city.

The 1960s saw a movement to rehabilitate French in Louisiana, with special French-English programs helping a new generation learn their ancestors' language.

Tilly Louisiana, the first French-speaking broadcast media in the region, was launched by Wilma and Drakkar to promote the French language.

Cajun culture is deeply rooted in Louisiana, with food being a significant part of its history and identity.

The French-speaking population in Louisiana has grown from about 100,000 to around 250,000, with a strong commitment to preserving their identity.

Cajun music and oral tradition play a vital role in passing down the lifestyle and culture from generation to generation.

Thibodaux raises his daughters in French to protect and preserve the French language and culture amidst American culture's overwhelming presence.

Transcripts

[Music]

Baton Rouge Lafayette and it's the

French snow it nouvelle ollie on New

Orleans American cities all with very

French names all in the US state of

Louisiana

it was Rene Robert Cavalli Alice au who

in 1682 explored the Mississippi Basin

took possession of the territory in the

name of king louis xiv and baptized it

in his honor French Louisiana at the

start of the 18th century was enormous

stretching all the way from the Great

Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico gradually

the territory was eroded the French

ceded western Louisiana to Spain and the

Canadian region to Great Britain many of

the French speakers though living in the

northern region known as Acadia moved

south into present-day Louisiana where

they carried the name of Acadians or

just Cajuns with them the gradual diss

solving of the French territory really

completed in 1803 as Napoleon Bonaparte

sold Louisiana to the fledgling United

States to five million dollars plus 10

million for New Orleans itself the

immigration though of French speakers to

the region continued notably from the

West Indies and a Caribbean many of them

farmers accompanied by their slaves but

despite the importance of the

french-speaking community in the state

in 1916 it was prohibited to use French

in schools and in 1921 the Louisiana

Constitution only authorized the use of

the English language the Cajuns became

more and more isolated well a century

later they still represent almost 10% of

the population of Louisiana even though

the use of French continues to diminish

from generation to generation they

remain those fighting to preserve the

language and the tradition Fanny ala

revisits Cajun country for France 24

Louisiana the region is a mix of

influences French Acadian Indian Creole

with one thing in common the French

language near Lafayette and the southern

part of the state some still speak a

form of French Cajun French named after

those who settled in the region three

centuries ago to be a growing group the

mucho miedo and Robbie have a big living

honey constitute is Louisiana born and

bred he built this farm near the bayou

more than ten years ago he lives there

with his wife and daughters just a few

miles away from his parents

yeah Shawn song la villita

yeah the carjackers it a nice record

record by Maria 2250 is feminine de jour

cos you grow jfl greedy vache

with hard work Thibodaux made his

childhood dream a reality the American

dream with a Cajun twist he was brought

up by a grandmother who taught him

French now calls his fellow US citizens

the Americans inside a giant Kiva that

please please come Miss America

nice to see you cool you know please see

piss off except tea ma'am my preferred

dead sucker fish to take a short

daughter

pour the generous yonder no Paro

did you point more shows yet Katya did

he point le gentil

you know the Jews calm the monarchy the

Mexicans on sylheti hasta the Deacons

are neutral on a

super sorry I say did you know ya oublie

intially and totally traditional a long

yet Thibodeau is it by you cowboy when

he isn't hunting alligators he looks

after his cattle and writes horses far

away from the big city keeping

traditions alive is his way of

protecting his heritage

mimosa's we continue it did come on more

entirety commonalities

see just give lovey you like which are

now continually man manyara big

multi-service my pal him alone having me

so far I'm up here to this one yep all

yeah you know 10,000 miles DC for more

Jay the Burger King you know the

Macdonald city Amla you know back in the

day southern Louisiana was mostly

french-speaking

the Cajuns are descendants of the

Acadians a Canadian French people who

were chased out by the British during

the 18th century and settled thousands

of miles down the Mississippi River in

the marshlands of Louisiana known as the

Bayou not valid law is a descendant of

those Acadians ji guru shiny Roche and

issued by you a potato Brooks till y'all

objective said she saw Sonny the Primeau

just like his forefathers who settled in

Louisiana more than three hundred years

ago the 85 year old has lived here his

whole life she was a way to defend

vision by you inside the cupola corner

man to Majesty welcome

avec mon papa learn tapas a do i yeah

LeBlanc knows every inch of this river

he still goes fishing every week and

until a few years ago he was still

hunting the king of the bayou

the alligator pretty bone cutter and all

of my detriment should we sing Sandra

Pepa look long learn French at home but

doesn't use it much these days when he

was a child his teachers forbid him from

speaking at a school premiere como se

second from Sevilla oppressor from a

garage so Jean Vanier la Pavoni

polyprotein he you give an ahmadi no

French did you pass Quechua

enjoy poeple alone vamos a pelear longer

city pocket rusty biology lovely

in 1921 Louisiana authorities launched a

massive campaign to Americanize the

local population the state constitution

ban the use of French and schools that's

when the Cajuns started being

stigmatized my view mone

[Music]

like many Cajuns of his generation

LeBlanc did not teach his children to

speak French in Louisiana boomers are

known as the Lost Generation those who

did not learn French Mike Francis

Pahlavi he's a painter born in Lafayette

to French speaking parents but he only

speaks English the French culture is

very important to south Louisiana New

Orleans here because of the Acadian

culture

my mother was a Waguespack people that

came from all around in the 1720s when

she was about I guess six or seven she

had to go to school of course like and

they prevented her from speaking French

they got extra work or you know had to

stay after school or write lines or

things like that

Cajun children were often punished by

their teachers for speaking French

slowly abandoning the language and with

it a fundamental part of their identity

with his paintings Pahlavi celebrates

the history and culture of Louisiana he

may not speak French but he uses his art

to express his Cajun culture we grew up

primarily speaking English you know they

taught us English at school and most of

the television and and media that we

listened to the radio was English I

really do regret the fact that I didn't

take advantage of learning French as a

child but I didn't know any better you

know all my friends spoke English in the

southern part of the state the names

found in cemeteries are proof of the

long-running French influence

[Music]

trumpeting balsa or Thibodeau those

Catholic families never left Louisiana

where they had settled in exile in Syria

more

nobody anybody muffled

ugh de Lafayette jaymota :

Thibodaux has been working in the meat

industry since he was 14 years old now

he owns a company that makes Buda and

Tasso both local delicacies Victor Otto

pork crayfish alligator and Cajun

country food is sacred and also reflects

the history of its people

Jeremiah okay yeah pre-entered future

professor this is apostle more the

Moroccan cities in more ecology the

amount of fish submitted apart

well the Buddha of new leaf Roxy mr.

Xiang ji choreography a comedy Queen of

England India or series Africa of New

Avengers not ingredient F or sauce is

devolved but still super pop did the

mayor today Selma ensure you know it's a

better handle a deeper off or thumb the

35 year old is active in his defense of

Cajun culture and his heritage is

present all the way to the kitchen the

recipe ellaby emiya origami sergeant lea

l mm mm recipe panagra 400 happy she's

become a psychic shows Nouveau the

parlament future is in future me move

the body via the population educators

people

the 1960s saw a movement aimed at

rehabilitating French at a time when the

language seemed to be dying out

[Music]

at the time school started special

French English programs helping a new

generation learn their ancestors

language

Wilma grew and Drakkar bloom may not

have French sounding names but two years

ago they launched Tilly Louisiana the

first French speaking broadcast media in

the region Louisiana let Katie connect a

avec Northeast WA not illiterate or not

ratash ka beaucoup polish the compounds

a on si the mantra Louisiana is it on

with Diane Macedo Nadia's para pal - ah

Zetas Unni don't want her yet Rafael de

la Louisiana did not music - no future

- no long 18 employees now work together

on a weekly show built around one

specific theme that week the show was

focusing on Creoles of color and the

team was filming in the French Quarter

of New Orleans Creole envision failed

say complicated about the show beaucoup

de Jean male 8 MC Deutsche gay with more

than 260,000 views this year in

Louisiana is hoping to soon make it on

TV

McGrew and LeBlanc believe they the

youth of Louisiana are the future of the

French language on that by NIST well if

constancy quelque chose de poco exact

allocation to trade negative on that

societele racy cetera stereotype may our

own opinion in morocco supposedly

Francis s electrons they said no to a

cutie of humor cursor continue that

philosophy Jionni forever unless you've

done a music like future la langue

today's auto shows can uniform differ

home a specialty question oblong not

even important question we just really

visionary reporting sadhaks

said prospective sharks you're gonna be

eating praying and working being a Cajun

is a lifestyle that is passed down from

generation to generation through oral

tradition and music Thibodaux learned to

play the violin on his own without music

sheets just by listening to his elders

as a child he would follow his mother to

concerts now he sings with his daughter

[Music]

my papa

- Judy on a ladder near Palestine keep

pal on wit da whizzy

I mean keep Alphonse a the Louisiana

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

[Laughter]

Music idea vacant Todd Lee Joong Ki pal

from see ya playin in toddler the music

they were see say Houston grown short 30

people to the para fuse Sid dreadlock

they say don't incur more effeminate

equivalent in France a passkey CD monkey

shortly thirsty the vision of socialism

is heated on frosty is a so so so mu

Thibodeau decided to raise his daughters

in French despite the overwhelming

presence of American culture

Masha yeah daddy see she's about Paco

Mooresville a big lizard avail approach

engine irrational that's rapid muffled

Marie fimo job you continue a big

missile phone a command Isola Daniel set

upon ocotilla Dania see more

responsibilities Xalapa madeira big moe

a shock for Kazan told me she propelled

from seeking show some fish yeah let's

crack on the blue import on Scylla no

sauce on Aria forty years ago there were

just about 100,000 French speakers in

Louisiana today that number is around

250,000 those French speakers see

themselves as a special people citizens

of the United States but also custodians

of an endangered identity they vowed to

protect finally I'll revisit in Cajun

country for France 24 well that's all

from this week's edition of course you

can cash it and all the previous

editions as well on our website you'll

find it at France at 24 calm thanks for

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