2. Cajuns ( les Cadiens or les
Acadiens in French) are an ethnic
group mainly living in Louisiana,
consisting of the descendants of
Acadian exiles (French-speaking
settlers from Acadia, New
Brunswick or Nova Scotia, in the
maritime provinces of what is
now Canada).
7. dia
Acadia (in French Acadie)
was the name given to
lands in a portion of the
French colonial empire in
Northeastern North
America that included
parts of eastern Quebec,
the Maritime provinces,
and modern-day New
England, stretching as far
South as Philadelphia.
People living in Acadia, and
sometimes former
residents and their
descendants, are called
Acadians.
8. Cajun Language
The Acadians speak Cajun French.
Since they were separated from
France for some 300 years, they
began speaking French a bit
differently. Acadians and French
citizens can understand each other,
but it can be a bit difficult, because
the Acadians have added quite a few
unique words to the language.
9. Past Present
• Until the 1960's, children • Thankfully, this changed in
in Louisiana were not the 1960's. Not only is
allowed to speak French Cajun French allowed in
in public school. As a schools now, but almost
result, Cajun French almost every school in South
disappeared from Louisiana teaches French.
Louisiana.
10. Housing
When the
Acadians moved
to Louisiana
from Acadia
they were very
poor. So, they
built huts with
the help of the
local Native
Americans
11. Cajun Cuisine
Cajun cuisine is a
mix of French,
Canadian, African
and Native American
influences. When
they had to move to
Louisiana, they
learned to adapt
local ingredients such
as sugar cane, rice
and crawfish into a
whole new cooking
culture.
12. Cajun Music
It’s based on the
ballads of the
French-speaking
Acadians of
Canada. The three
main musical
instruments are
the Cajun
Accordion, the
Fiddle and the
Triangle
