Monday, February 22, 2010

Are you a Cajun or a Creole, a gumbo or a tomato ?

These two terms are some of the most misunderstood in Louisiana and outside the state.

A Cajun is the designation given to the descendants of the people from Acadia who settled in Louisiana. You will find, however, that many people who have married into Cajun families have adopted the term to also apply to themselves. Cajun is also used as an adjective, Cajun food, Cajun music, and Cajun French referring to a particular type of thing native to the areas of Louisiana where these Cajuns setteled.

Creole is a term first used to identify the children born in Louisiana, whose parents were born in European countries. These children were of Caucasian desent. This was later broadened to mean native born Louisianians. Creole is also used as an adjective, as Creole tomato.

No comments:

Post a Comment