South Louisiana is a true melting pot of cultural influences primarily consisting on Cajuns and Creoles. The term "Creole" actually translates to mean "native", but is used to describe the original French and Spanish descendants. In South Louisiana, primarily New Orleans, the original settlers were French nobility fleeing the revolution in their native land bringing with them their chefs and their recipes. They were soon joined by people from Spain, Africa, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain.

 

The early eighteenth century provided South Louisiana with another distinct group of settlers., the Acadians. These were natives of Nova Scotia of French descent who left Canada rather than live under English rule. In 1755, the Acadians were disbanded by the British with women and children being separated from the men and sent in every direction. One distinct group finally settled in South Louisiana and they became our "Cajuns" an accented version of "Acadians."

 

The Acadians were known as hearty, family oriented people who lived off the land and made do with what was available to them. South Louisiana is markedly different from Nova Scotia; the climate and conditions of relocation were not easy obstacles to overcome. However, the Cajun people are religious people and devoted to their families. These strengths made our Cajun people what they are today.

 

Many people refer to Cajun and Creole as the same culture. However, while the Acadians were struggling to survive, the Creoles lived in comparable luxury in New Orleans and along the Mississippi. Today when the terms Cajun and Creole are used, most people think of food and the style of cooking. While the Creoles dined on delicacies similar to European standards, the Cajuns were experimenting and creating delicacies from the game available in the bayou.

 

The descendants of the Acadians and Creoles have left us with a style of life known for its good food, love of God and family, and their "joie de vivre" (joy of life). As we say in South Louisiana, "Laissez les bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!).