Yo! Barbara again. I am going to write about my Cajun French background. I am half Scandinavian (Norwegian and Swedish) on my birth father's side, and also Cajun French (on my birth mother's side).
A Cajun is a person of French heritage who is directly descended from the Acadians, who settled in the southern part of the state of Louisiana from Acadia during the 1700's. "Cajun" is what most people call "Acadians". It used to be a derogatory term, but now it is widely accepted, and "Cajuns" is what most French Acadians call themselves.
Cajuns, as a rule, are predominately [spelling?] Roman Catholic; in fact, it was because of their Catholic faith that got them kicked out (forced out was more like it) from their home in Acadia (now called Nova Scotia, or "New Scotland") by British Protestants. These early Acadians (who were primarily farmers) were burned out of their homes, and they were forced to flee with just the clothes on their backs (that is, those who weren't killed first). They eventually settled in the southern part of Louisiana (and also southeast Texas)--so chosen because of the French influence--, and they soon became to be known as "Cajuns".
Cajuns are best known for several things: their cooking (which is world famous, thanks to people like the late Justin Wilson and alsp Paul Prudhomme), their accordion-and-fiddle-laced music, their love for family and friends, their steadfast Catholic faith, and their tempers, which can be deadly if a Cajun is pushed past their limit (you DON'T want to make a Cajun mad!!). Cajuns have died because of getting into a fight.
In short, Cajuns have NASTY tempers. (I know I do!!)
Like a lot of Cajuns, I love music, especially Cajun music. Cajun music is a combination of several different styles, but to most people, it sounds kind of country (that is, it has a fiddle and a pedal steel guitar), but it also sounds like a polka (thanks to the accordion). It can be fast ("2-step"), or it can be slow (a waltz). It is invariably always something about Louisiana or the Cajun lifestyle. Most of it is done in Cajun French, but a lot of the newer Cajun songs are done in BOTH Cajun French and English.
I have been fortunate to have been able to learn how to play the Cajun accordion. I have played the Cajun accordion since I was six years old; my Uncle Bruce taught me before he died. I have several Cajun accordions to my name, including my newest one I got for my 13th birthday, a "Martin". (I got that one from maman and daddy.) I play Cajun accordion as part of our family's band; we play some weekends whenever we are invited.
A lot of Cajuns can sing, but I am NOT one of them. I couldn't sing if my life depended on it; I sing TERRIBLE!!!!!! Which is why I only play the accordion. :) Now my little sister, Ronee', ON the other hand--SHE can SING. And sing WELL, at that!!
And, like a lot of Cajuns, I love to dance. I dance a mean Cajun 2-step, and I can dance an equally mean Cajun-style waltz.
Now, I don't really look Cajun--that is, my hair is ash-blonde, and my skin is rather fair--, but I AM Cajun. Trust me. I have dark eyes like a lot of Cajun people, and in the summer my skin turns DARK. I also have a rather pronounced Cajun French "whine" to my speech whenever I talk.
If THAT doesn't say I'm Cajun, then I don't know what is.
I am a "CAJUN." Pure and simple.
"LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!!" AAA-III-EEE!!!!!! ;)
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