Who are the Cajuns?
Cajuns are an ethnic group that makes up a large portion of the population in Louisiana. Originally hailing from a French-Canadian community, modern Cajuns often have a mixed background, including French, English, German, Native American and Creole ancestry. The Cajun people are responsible for much of the culture in modern-day Louisiana, including contributions to food, music and entertainment. During the French and Indian War of the late 18th century, the Acadians were expelled from their colonies in the maritime provinces of Canada. Acadians themselves often had a mixed ancestry created through the intermarriage of French settlers and the local Micmaq Indian tribes. After being expelled from Acadia, the displaced people spread out across the United States and Canada, many coming to settle in the historically French territory of Louisiana, where they came to be called Cajuns, perhaps a corruption of the word “Acadians.” Cajuns formed played an important part in the American Revolutio
The term Cajun is a derivation of Acadian, the French name given to the inhabitants of Acadia, the new colonial lands in North America. It simply means Country or Rural. The first settled civilian presence, around Port Royal, dates back to 1604. The Acadiennes prospered and, while retaining their French culture, developed their own sense of identity in a new land; meeting new challenges and learning from their indigenous Indian neighbours with whom they shared the territory. Acadia changed hands between French and English colonial powers until 1713. At this point the English took ownership of Acadia and re-named it Nova Scotia. In 1755, as a result of refusing to pledge allegiance to an English King, the Acadians were deported by Governor Charles Lawrence (to relieve social and political pressures?), and to make way for English colonists. The exiles were dispersed throughout the English colonies. Some were imprisoned, some re-patriated to France. Some re-settled in the woodlands of New
