1. Louisiana’s Culture: Families & Festivals
Chapter 1

2. Section 1: What is Culture?
Culture is a way of life of a group of people
Elements of culture include: religion, music, food, clothing, language, architecture, art, literature, games, and sports.
Cultural diffusion is the spreading of one’s own culture through different ethnicities, religions and nationalities.

3. Section 1: What is Culture?
Religion:
The first European Religion in Louisiana was Roman Catholic because both France and Spain were at the time Catholic countries.
After the Louisiana Purchase, members of Protestant religions moved into the territory including Methodist, Baptists, and Presbyterians
Voodoo describes a set of underground religious practices which developed within the French, Spanish, and Creole speaking African American population. The core beliefs of Louisiana Voodoo include the recognition of one God who does not interfere in people’s daily lives and spirits that preside over daily life.

4. Section 1: What is Culture?
Music:
New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz.
In New Orleans, jazz funerals for musicians feature marching groups called “seconds lines”
Blues is a type of folk music that was created by slaves influenced by their African culture.
Cajun music was created by Cajuns, who descended from the Acadians.
Cajuns held dance parities at their rural homes called Fais-do-do.
Zydeco music is similar to Cajun music but a rub board is used to keep rhythm.

6. Section 1: What is Culture?
Food:
Is considered one of the best elements of Louisiana culture.
Food is an example of cultural diffusion with Cajun restaurants spread throughout the country.
Louisiana’s seafood industry plays a major role in Cajun and Creole dishes. Many dishes contain shrimp, crab, and crawfish.
Louisiana social gatherings often involve a fish fry or seafood boil.

7. Section 2: Louisiana Festivals
Festivals began as a celebration of a good harvest.
There are more than 400 Louisiana festivals

8. Section 2: Louisiana Festivals
August & September:
Shrimp and Petroleum Festival – “Blessing of the Fleet”
Frog Festival
Zydeco Music Festival
Festival Acadieans – Celebrates French heritage. Draws a crowd of more than 100,000 to Lafayette, LA
Alligator Festival
Sugar Cane Festival

9. Section 2: Louisiana Festivals
October & November:
Red River Revel – art festival
Fanfare – held at Southeastern Louisiana University
OktoberFest – German Heritage
Tamale Festival
International Rice Festival
Yambilee Festival
Giant Omelette Festival
Louisiana Pecan Festival
Po-boy Festival

10. Section 2: Louisiana Festivals
December:
- Christmas Festival of Lights
- Christmas Bonfire Celebration
January & February:
Creole Heritage Day
March & April:
St. Patrick’s Day
Strawberry Festival
French Quarter Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

11. Section 2: Louisiana Festivals
May:
Crawfish Festival
Sawmill Days
Jambalaya Festival
June & July:
Peach Festival
Blueberry Festival
Folklife Festival
Essence Festival

12. Section 2: Louisiana Festivals
Mardi Gras:
Louisiana’s biggest celebration originally began in Europe and was brought to Louisiana by the first French explorers.
An 18th century paraded could be described as men walking through the streets with cowbells.
Today more than half a million people line the streets each year for the more than 50 parades held in the city.
The official start of the Mardi Gras season is 12th night (Jan 6).
Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” and signifies the end of the Mardi Gras season and beginning of Lent.

16. http://www. watchknowlearn. org/Video. aspx

18. Section 3: Louisiana’s Cultural Regions
Sportsman’s Paradise Region
Located in the northern part of the state and offers an abundant outdoor recreation for residents
Fishing and Hunting are popular recreational activities.
North Louisiana has more in common with its neighboring states than it does with south Louisiana.
The early settlers who in this region came from other southern states making their ancestors English, Scottish, or Irish.

19. Section 3: Louisiana’s Cultural Regions
Crossroads Region
The crossroads region covers the center of the state.
This region merges the cultures of North and South Louisiana
This region has many small towns featuring main streets stores and churches

20. Section 3: Louisiana’s Cultural Regions
Cajun Country:
Cajun country has a triangular shape in southwest Louisiana
Within this region there are:
Prairie Cajun- culture centered on livestock and agriculture
Wetland Cajun – culture centered on fishing and trapping

21. Section 3: Louisiana’s Cultural Regions
Plantation Country:
Located along the Mississippi River
Common symbols include old plantation homes, live oak trees, and Spanish moss
This region has more plantation homes than any other region in the South

22. Section 3: Louisiana’s Cultural Regions
Greater New Orleans Region
Located in the Southeastern part of the state and includes all the parishes surround Lake Pontchartrain
With its unique culture, this region is often compared to European cities
The Port of New Orleans plays a major role in the United States imports and exports

23. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
Louisiana’s cultural background is a reflection of the diversity of it’s citizens.
Ethnic groups – people who share common traditions, beliefs, and patterns of living that include language, religion, customs, and food.

24. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
Acadians
French Canadians migrated to Louisiana during the 18th century after being forced to leave Acadia (Nova Scotia).
As a result, they settled in Acadiana and became known as the Acadians.
The Acadians contributed their Cajun culture to the state of Louisiana.

25. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
African Americans
Came to Louisiana in several different ways
Slaves came from West Africa and the West Indies
West African slaves from Gumbo which mean “okra”
The West Indies slaves brought the Creole language.
There were also Free People of Color
Creole- African-French people born in Louisiana instead of Europe or Africa
The Creoles contributed Zydeco music.

26. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
American Indians:
Louisiana continues to be the home to some of the decedents of the Native Americans who settle in Louisiana.
The primary remaining tribes are the Chitimacha, Choctaw, Coushatta, Tunica-Biloxi, and Houma.

27. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
Anglos:
The Anglo culture developed in the British Colonies
They migrated to Louisiana and established farms in North Louisiana.

28. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
Germans:
The Germans immigrated to Louisiana during the early colonial years.
They did not retain their language but some of their decedents have preserved some of their German heritage and continue traditions.

29. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
Hispanics:
The oldest and best preserved Hispanic culture in Louisiana is the Isleños (meaning islanders).
They are descendants of the Canary Islands and came to Louisiana when it was a Spanish colony and settled in St. Bernard Parish.

30. Section 3: Louisiana’s People
Italians:
The largest group of Italians settled in Independence, LA.
They became farmers, raising vegetables and strawberries.
The St. Joseph’s Alter is one of the traditions they contributed. The alter represents a “thank you” for blessings of the past year.

32. Cultural Regions Poster Requirements: 1
Cultural Regions Poster Requirements: 1. Title (Name of your cultural region) 2. Elements of culture (religion, music, food, language, etc.) 3. Major Cities Labelled