OUR TRIP TO CAJUN COUNTRY

The Acadians were early French settlers along the eastern coast of Canada. In 1713 England gained control of the area, and in 1755 the Acadians were forcibly evicted from the area. Their houses were burned, families were separated, and the French speaking people were put on boats and shipped to various ports. As time passed many of the Acadians made their way to southern Louisiana where they were welcomed by the Spanish and the French authorities.

They soon learned how to adapt to their new home. They began to hunt and fish in the bayous and raise cattle and farm in the grasslands. Being somewhat isolated they maintained their culture and gradually incorporated some aspects of Black African tradition as well as adopting the accordion, brought by German settlers. They still maintain a distinctive cuisine and music style now referred to as Cajun.

We attended an Elderhostel in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of "Cajun Country"

Cajun musicians use the violin, which is called a "fiddle" and a smaller version of the German accordion, which they call a "squeeze box".

 

Our trip to the Crystal Rice Plantation was very interesting. Our guide explained how they were able to grow rice and raise crawfish in the same fields at the same time.

 
When it is time to plant the rice the fields are flooded and the rice seeds are dropped by plane. At this time male and female crawfish are also put into the fields. The rice grows and the crawfish prosper eating the stubble from the previous year's rice, and multiply. When it is time to harvest the rice the fields are drained.  The crawfish burrow deep into the ground in search of water. The fields then are hard enough for the harvesting equipment. After the rice is harvested the fields are flooded again and the crawfish come up from their burrows. Traps are laid in the flooded fields and a crop of crawfish is harvested.

 

A restored farmhouse serves as a museum at Crystal Rice Plantation. A collection of antique cars and an old crop duster is housed at the Plantation.

 

We visited Vermillion Village.  The old houses there have been moved to the village from their original location. While some are in their original condition others have undergone various amounts of restoration. Costumed guides and interpreters explained the routines of daily life in the area in earlier times.
 Note outside staircase leading to the attic where the young boys slept. It is called a garconiere. The boats, called pirogues, were used to travel on the waterways and for fishing.

 

The Blacksmith was at work. We were impressed by the metalwork hanging above  him.

 

View of old church Village ducks at feeding time

 

We viewed the inside of one of the houses. The woodworker explained his craft to us.

 

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