Dan+L.+-+CA+-+SP10

By: Daniel Lewis
 * Cajun Culture **

When Cajuns came to Louisiana, they spoke French, but when they heard German, Spanish, English, and some Native American languages, their language evolved. Today this language is known as Cajun French. The Cajun language has no written form. Today, Cajun French is dwindling and slowly being replaced by English. Older Cajuns speak Cajun French around each other and the youngsters speak mostly English.
 * __Language__**

Most Cajuns are Roman Catholic. Catholicism is a form of Christianity: they believe in the Holy Bible. However, since their arrival in Louisiana, their beliefs have been mixed with many other influences, like pagan superstitions from the culture of pre-Christian Europe to African spiritual practices. These beliefs were given to them by African slaves and their children who moved to Louisiana like the Cajuns.
 * __Beliefs__**

The Cajun people are Catholic, so they have Catholic values. These values include abstinence until marriage and opposition to abortion. The Cajuns are very close to their family and friends. They help members of their community who are in need and give generously, because they know others would do the same for them. Cajuns even leave their doors unlocked so that if people need a place to sleep they can enter without disturbing anyone inside.
 * __Values__**

The Cajun people behave like normal Louisiana folks buy have a couple well-known behaviors. Their most famous celebration is Mardi Gras, which is not that largely celebrated throughout the rest of the country or world. Mardi Gras id French for Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday in the week before lent starts. Unlike the New Orleans street party, the Cajun Mardi Gras has a greater purpose, and is very family friendly. Cajuns celebrate with food and drinks, but it is also to find out if every family has enough food to last until the end of summer. Another behavior of the Cajuns is for all families in the community to provide the local butcher with an animal to be slaughtered. All of the animals are butchered and given out equally amongst the people. Cajuns also enjoy performing music to entertain their communities. They dress very southern and play instruments commonly found in the south United States, like the fiddle, accordion, guitar, triangle, drums and rub board.
 * __Behaviors__**



** Sources **

"CAJUN MARDI GRAS: CULTURAL OBJECTIFICATION AND SYMBOLIC APPROPRIATION IN A FRENCH TRADITION(1)." //GaleNet//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. .

**This source helped me to learn about the Cajun Marti Gras. The Cajun Mardi Gras is one of the most well known behaviors and this academic journal had a lot of great information.**

"Cajuns." //GaleNet//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. .

**This was a print source that I found on the Gale Database and it had tons of information about Cajun culture. This book helped me to find out about their language, values, and even some beliefs.**

"FOOT-STOMPIN' GOOD TIME; MARDI GRAS IN THE MOUNTAINS SERVES UP CAJUN CULTURE IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.(Tempo)." //GaleNet//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. .

**This was a news piece I came across in the Gale Database that is about a Cajun band. This helped me to find out the instruments that they play and how their sounds.**

Gould, Phillip. //Cajun Band//. N.d. Britannica, Louisiana. //Britannica//. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

**This picture helped me to visualize what a Cajun band looks like. It helped me figure out what instruments they like to play too.**

Helen. //Cajun Mardi Gras//. N.d. The Letter Press, Louisiana. //The Letter Press//. Web. 27 Jan. 2011.

**This photograph depicts a normal Cajun Mardi Gras, so it developed my understanding on how the Cajuns celebrate. It showed that the Cajun Mardi Gras is very much a family celebration.**