Stranger in Louisiana-Cajun 101

~Blog post #2~

April 13, 2015

by Michael Lucarelli

The feasts and holidays that Cajun's celebrate include Thanksgiving, Christmas, All Saints Day, and New Years Eve. A Cajun Thanksgiving is unlike others because of the dressing. It can range from an oyster dressing to rice and meat to cornbread, and until recently pork was eaten in place of turkey. Another festival is Aligator Festival where people can eat an array of food including jambalaya, pastalaya, fried alligator, and funnel cakes.
One of the most well know festivals is Mardi Grais, or in Cajun French "Courir de Mardi Gras". Something that may not be known is the fact that Mardi Gras is one of a few times where people are allowed to wear masks because of violent activities stemming from the Ku Klux Klan. The festivals roots can be traced back to Medeval times when the poor poeple of the time would go to the rich and perform in exchange for a bit of food. They where hungry after the winters.
Another holiday that is celebrated by Cajun's is Kings' Day on January 6th. It's purpose is to elect the "king of the bean". After supper a cake is presented and is cut into many pieces. When this is finished the youngest member of the family hands out the pieces first to God, and then from the eldest member down to the youngest. Who ever recieves the piece of cake with a bean at the edge is proclaimed king.

Works Cited

• "ACADIAN-CAJUN Genealogy & History: Encyclopedia of Cajun Life: Holidays." ACADIAN-CAJUN Genealogy & History: Encyclopedia of Cajun Life: Holidays. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
• "Alligator Festival of South Louisiana - Food, Fun, Drinks, Games, Rides, Live Music." Alligator Festival of South Louisiana - Food, Fun, Drinks, Games, Rides, Live Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
• "Courir De Mardi Gras." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
• "Louisiana Celebrations Rooted in Tradition." Louisiana Celebrations Rooted in Tradition. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.