Acadians Mr. E’s Tuesday, March. 3, 2009 Louisiana History Class

March 3, 1820 ~ Slavery outlawed within the Louisiana Purchase territory north of 36°30' latitude. 75. Describe the contributions of ethnic groups significant in Louisiana history. Today’s objective: We will study the Acadians (Cajuns), their homes, beliefs, and way of life.

Past S.S. LEAP Questions From Louisiana each of these items is in what direction? N/S/E/W/NE/NW/SE/SW 1.Texas 2.Minnesota 3.Florida 4.Utah 5.California 3/3/09

Fact # 1 Vocabulary: Acadian – A group of people forced from their original homeland in Acadia (Nova Scotia) by the British in Cajun – A slang derivate of the word Acadian with slurring the final syllable. “Jumping the broomstick” – is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new. Jumping the broom has become one of the most popular African-centered traditions picked up by the Acadians. Vocabulary

Fact #- Vocabulary: “Holy Mother Church” – The local Catholic church - many Cajuns will shun family members if they convert to any form of Protestantism because of the extreme persecution of the Cajuns by Protestants during 1755, Vermilionville – The village, later city, than would became Lafayette in 1884, and was renamed for General Lafayette, a French hero in the American Revolution.

Fact # 2 Fact #1 Acadian settlements – Most Acadians settled in south central Louisiana along and near the Gulf coast and various bayous. This helped them maintain their fishing lifestyles they came to know in the areas in eastern Canada Cajun Triangle The Heart of Acadiana

Fact # 4 "Cajun" Acadian Flag - The gold castle on the red field represents the Spanish, who allowed and even assisted the Acadians in settling their new homeland. The white fleur-de- lis on the blue field represents their French heritage. The gold star on the white background represents the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Acadians. Fact #2

Fact # 3 An Acadian house - high steep pitched roof cover almost a square frame. No nails were used in these early structures, and the cypress weathered a natural gray. The first homes were one/two rooms in size with the attic used as a sleeping area for the boys (garconniere). Stairs (if any) were located on one end of the front porch.

Fact # 5 Fact #4 Acadian families – There remains the fact that beyond the role of family relations the survival of the Acadian home relied on the efforts of its members. Every family member had to contribute to the many daily tasks to provide food and shelter for the family. The family in its broader sense of ‘kin’, was of great importance.

“Music” – Joie de vivre ("the joy of living") is a term connected to the Acadians to express a cheerful enjoyment of life; an exultation of spirit. It generally revolved around a musician – a fiddler, accordion player, and maybe a guitar or banjo player. Many times this would be the Acadians only entertainment. Fact #5

Assignment L’Acadiana Tiangle (Cajun Parishes) - Directions: Using list supplied, label each of the 22 parishes on the map in BLACK INK. When completed color the Acadian Parishes light yellow. Label the following cities in BLACK INK – Lake Charles and Vermilionville (Lafayette). NEATNESS COUNTS AS HALF (50%) OF THE GRADE!

Upcoming Wed (4): Belizaire movie Thurs (5): Belizaire movie Fri (6): Belizaire movie Mon (9): Ch. 10, Civil War Tue (10): Ch. 10, Civil War Wed (11): Ch. 10, Civil War Thurs (12): Ch. 10, Civil War Fri (13): Ch. 10, Civil War