The Cajuns are descendants of a group of French-speaking people who were exiled from Acadia, a region that stretched from present-day Quebec to Philadelphia. Today, they reside in south Louisiana as well as southeast Texas, and their total population is around 2 to 5 million. The Cajuns speak a unique French dialect, and their cultural roots make them a distinctive ethnic group in the US.
“Cajun” is actually a term that was invented by English-speaking people who mispronounced the French word “Acadien”. Around the 17th century, Acadia was a French colony in the northeastern part of North America, but it became a British territory in the 18th century after the French conceded defeat in the War of the Conquest. The people of Acadia were forced to move south, and they settled in Louisiana. Presently, many Cajuns can be found in the southwestern part of New Orleans , Alexandria, as well as Lafayette, which is regarded as the “Heart of Acadiana”.
Other than a good travel insurance policy, you may also need to know some Cajun terms if you are traveling to south Louisiana. Here is a list of Cajun terms that will be of interest to those who wish to learn more about Cajun culture .
Accordian: A musical instrument that is frequently used in Cajun music .
Bayou: A small river or stream.
Bluegrass: A form of country music that is influenced by blues and jazz.
Boucherie: A social gathering for Cajuns in South Louisiana, where there will be butchering of hogs as well as performances of Cajun and zydeco music.
Bouree’: A popular card game that is also known as the “Cajun Bridge”.
Cajun: A shortened and mispronounced form of the French term “Acadian”.
Cayenne: Ground red pepper that is used by the Cajuns to make food spicy.
Courir: A word that is used in the southwestern part of Louisiana to refer to the Mardi Gras run.
Couyon: A term that is used to refer to a stupid or insane person.
Dobro: A type of acoustic guitar that is made of wood.
Esplanade: A flat area that is often used as a public promenade.
Fais-do-do: A Cajun French term that means “go to sleep”.
Frottoir: An instrument that is used to play zydeco music. It is worn over the shoulders like a vest, and spoons are rubbed over it to produce sounds.
Garcon: A word that is used to address a waiter or a young man.
Gris Gris: A charm that enhances luck and wards off evil.
Loup Garou: The Cajun version of the werewolf.
Mamaloi: A priestess who practices voodoo.
Parrain: French word that means “godfather”.
Po-Boy: A sandwich that used to cost only five cents, and it was very popular among the poor young people of New Orleans. It is French bread stuffed with shrimp, fish, oysters, smoked sausage, meatballs, and others.
Praline: A sweet patty that is made of cream, sugar, and nuts.
Revivalist: Storyteller, musician, or artist who creates or performs folk tales, music, artworks, and crafts.
Swamp Pop: A unique style of music that was invented by Cajun musicians during the 1950s.
‘Tit-fer: A Cajun term that means “triangle”.
Traiteur or Treater: Traditional Cajun healer who uses folk remedies, herbs, and prayers to cure illnesses.
Vieux Carre: A French term that means “old quarter”, or more specifically, the French quarter in New Orleans.
Zydeco: Fast-tempo dance music that is sung in Cajun French.