jjares reviewed The Cajuns: The History of the French-Speaking Ethnic Group in Canada and Louisiana on + 3294 more book reviews
This is a succinct but fascinating look at a people who might be disappearing before our eyes. The author explains that World War II brought 25,000 Cajuns out of the bayous and into training camps across America. They spoke French but found they needed to speak English to stay alive (because they had to communicate with their companions). Thus, the Americanization of the Cajuns started in earnest.
As a group, they maintain their culture and extended families. However, American culture has made inroads. The Cajuns do not necessarily marry other Cajuns and many have moved out of the bayous. Two things they have exported are Cajun food and music. I live in a neighboring state and travel there often. The entire state is proud of the Cajun culture that resides in Louisiana.
This brief book tells the story of how the Arcadians were forcibly removed from Nova Scotia and the difficulties they had in finding a new home. I really appreciated the fact that they shared the changes in the Cajuns over the last 100 years.
As a group, they maintain their culture and extended families. However, American culture has made inroads. The Cajuns do not necessarily marry other Cajuns and many have moved out of the bayous. Two things they have exported are Cajun food and music. I live in a neighboring state and travel there often. The entire state is proud of the Cajun culture that resides in Louisiana.
This brief book tells the story of how the Arcadians were forcibly removed from Nova Scotia and the difficulties they had in finding a new home. I really appreciated the fact that they shared the changes in the Cajuns over the last 100 years.
