The area of Louisiana, now known as Acadiana, is made up of 22 parishes (that's Cajun for Counties). It forms a triangle from Lake Charles at the west to Grand Isle at the east. The Acadians were the largest group to settle in this area from 1765 to 1785; although many other cultures and nationalities settled here, the Acadian culture has become dominant. It contains bits and pieces of the other nationalities' cultures and has become known as Cajun . . . a derivation of the word Acadian.
Many of us know the legend of the candy cane and about Rudolph guiding Santa's sleigh, but there are some other Christmas traditions that are not very well known; and these are the Cajun Christmas traditions of Louisiana. Cajuns, or people of French Canadian descent who have settled here, came to the state in the 1700s, according to the University of Wisconsin, and with them brought these traditions that Louisianans now hold so deep to their hearts.
* In Louisiana, Santa Claus is called Papa Noel.
* Every year bonfires are lit on the Mississippi River levees to light the way for him.
* The bonfires are believed to have been started two hundred years ago by Catholic priests, who wanted to light the waterways for people to visit their families and friends at Christmas and to find their way to church for midnight mass on Christmas Eve . . .
* According to The New York Times, there is some argument on whether they were originally lit to guide churchgoers to midnight mass or if they were really for Papa Noel.
* The bonfires are lit at 7 P.M. on Christmas Eve so that Papa Noel can find his way to all of the houses in Louisiana throughout the night.
* In some parts of Cajun country, Papa Noel takes a different persona on altogether, and is called Cajun Papa Noel.
* Cajun Papa Noel doesn't have eight reindeer; he has eight Alligators that guide his river boat.
* Instead of Rudolph with his red glowing nose to guide Santa while he delivers presents, there is Nicolette, the alligator who has glowing green eyes to guide Papa Noel.
* Instead of Rudolph with his red glowing nose to guide Santa while he delivers presents, there is Nicolette, the alligator who has glowing green eyes to guide Papa Noel.
* There is also the Yule Log Cake that many Louisiana families eat on Christmas Eve. The Yule Log Cake or the Buche de Noel came from a French chef, according to The Cake Bible, who instead of carrying on the tradition of burning a Yule Log on Christmas Eve decided that he would come up with a pastry to carry on the tradition instead.
Every year I've tried to have a special session with my grandchildren. Las year we each made a
Buche de Noel. it was quite a project but one we won't easily forget.
Some Yule Logs . . .
Every year I've tried to have a special session with my grandchildren. Las year we each made a
Buche de Noel. it was quite a project but one we won't easily forget.
Some Yule Logs . . .
* While many people know about Louisiana's Mardi Gras tradition, few know that the beginning of Mardi gras, or Twelfth night, which is twelve days after Christmas, is the end of the Christmas celebrations here, according to America's Byways.
* On twelfth night, Louisianans have King Cake. The King Cake is a cake that has a figurine of baby Jesus baked into it. Whoever gets the baby Jesus gets to buy the King Cake next year.
* In New Orleans and with some Cajun families, the Reveillon dinners which originated in France and mean awakening, according to FrenchQuarter.com still are made. (I participated in a Reveillon Dinner on Christmas Eve in Provence, France when I lived there. The dinner was comprised of 13 courses, each served on a clean tablecloth - 13 tablecloths, one on top of the next, and 13 desserts. The use of '13' represents Jesus and His 12 Apostles.)
A menu from Broussards Restaurant
A menu from Broussards Restaurant
* These dinners were originally made to eat on Christmas Eve after families came back from midnight mass, but now the Reveillon dinners are special menus that are prepared on every night during the holiday season at restaurants throughout New Orleans and Louisiana.
Joyeux Noel!
Joyeux Noel!
¡Feliz Navidad! from Boca de Tomatlan, Jalisco, Mx
ReplyDeleteWe will celebrate also on the 6th of January with a cake called Rosca de Reyes (representing the crown of the Three Kings) with the Baby Jesus hidden inside. Whoever gets the baby in their piece of cake is then responsible to make tamales for a family dinner on February second. The 6th of January is also the time the kids receive presents from the "Kings" as did Baby Jesus. Tonight is the time for Christmas celebration with family and friends culminating with placing the Baby Jesus into the Crรฉche at mid-night. The Crรฉche has been waiting for the Christ child as the family has waited for the Christmas eve celebration anticipating the birth of Jesus. Unlike in the USA, the 25th or Christmas day is a laid back day of rest lacking the Christmas tree and gifts tradition as in the North. All the best of Christmas to you Mary Pat and to all your followers too.
Ron
Thanks for your lovely addition to my Cajun Christmas. Yes, your celebration is more like I experienced when I lived in Guatemala. Christmas Day is 'chill out' day after the festivities of Christmas Eve, which go on until about 4AM. I love learning about other traditions; we can all learn something from each and every one. Feliz Navidad y Buen Aรฑo Nuevo, mi amigo.
DeleteSancho took the words right out of my mouth. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays??๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ❄️❄️❄️๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐
ReplyDeleteGracias - Merci Beaucoup - Thank You. My best to you and your family for a happy holiday season, Roger.
DeleteWhat fun, I had never heard this before … love the bonfires and Papa Noel … I like Louisiana, period. not many grump buckets in Louisiana… they have such a sense of fun ~ especially the Cajun crowd…
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Mary-Pat ;)
20150708 junda
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet
ed hardy clothing uk
mcm backpack
soccer outlet
burberry outlet
gucci handbags
oakley sunglasses sale
longchamp outlet online
gucci borse
air jordan uk
chanel bags
louboutin
gucci uk
oakley sunglasses
chanel handbags
oakley sunglasses outlet
nike blazer high
replica watches rolex
chaussure louboutin pas cher
coach outlet
kate spade new york
coach outlet store online
chanel outlet
coach outlet store online
oakley store
ralph lauren pas cher
oakley sunglasses cheap
ray bans
michael kors handbags
burberry handbags
prada outlet
pandora jewelry sale
jordan femme
michael kors uk
mont blanc pens
michael kors bags
air force pas cher
rolex watches for sale
cheap air max
0815
ReplyDeletebobby orr blackhawks jersey,jeremy roenick authentic jersey,jonathan toews blackhawks jersey,stan mikita blackhawks jersey,corey crawford blackhawks jersey,michael jordan jersey,michal handzus jersey,peter regin jersey
basketball shoes,basketball sneakers,lebron james shoes,sports shoes,kobe bryant shoes,kobe sneakers,nike basketball shoes,running shoes,mens sport shoes,nike shoes
troy polamalu jersey,ben roethlisberger jersey,antonio brown jersey,heath miller jersey,jack lambert jersey,le'veon bell jersey,santonio holmes jersey,kevin greene jersey,rod woodson jersey
rolex watches,swiss watch,replica watches,rolex watches for sale,replica watches uk,rolex watches replica,rolex watches for sales
the north face outlet
michael kors handbags
canada goose sale
saints jerseys
uggs outlet
true religion sale, http://www.truereligionjean.in.net
moncler outlet
ysl outlet
los angeles lakers jerseys
camisetas futbol baratas
mont blanc pens
stuart weitzman boots
stuart weitzman sale
moncler jackets
new york jets jerseys
cheap oakley sunglasses
fivefingers shoes
packers jerseys
michael kors outlet
derrick rose jersey
coach outlet
cleveland cavaliers jersey
gucci outlet online
chanel outlet
cheap ugg boots
bottega veneta handbags
yoga pants, http://www.yogapants.us.com
oklahoma city thunder jerseys
indianapolis colts jerseys
coach outlet canada
ReplyDeletehollister clothing store
links of london
babyliss
evening dresses
cheap nfl jerseys
oakley sunglasses
true religion outlet, http://www.truereligionjean.in.net
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton handbags
san antonio spurs jerseys
dallas cowboys jersey
chicago bears jerseys
coach outlet
foamposite shoes
tiffany and co
yoga pants, http://www.yogapants.us.com
cheap nba jerseys, http://www.nbajerseys.us.com
louis vuitton outlet
true religion canada, http://www.truereligionjeanscanada.com
tiffany jewelry
ed hardy clothing
replica watches
mulberry uk
burberry outlet online, http://www.burberryoutletonlinestore.com.co
true religion jeans, http://www.truereligionjeansoutlet.com
lebron james shoes
oakley sunglasses
thomas sabo uk
cartier love bracelet
chicago blackhawks jersey
converse shoes
hogan,hogan outlet,scarpe hogan,hogan sito ufficiale,hogan interactive
cheap jordans
christian louboutin
new orleans saints jerseys
ralph lauren uk
0817maoqiuyun
20150828 junda
ReplyDeletenike cortez
christian louboutin
hermes bags
ray ban glasses
nike running shoes
ray bans
soccer jerseys wholesale
nike roshe run mens
basket ball shoes
adidas superstar
ralph lauren
fitflops outlet
nike air max 90
prada handbags
toms shoes outlet
cheap jerseys
kate spade handbags
ray ban sunglasses
timberland uk
coach outlet
ralph lauren uk
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors
nike store uk
michael kors outlet
ed hardy clothing
mcm handbags
black timberland boots
hollister clothing store
polo ralph lauren
oakley sunglasses outlet
toms outlet
tory burch shoes
ralph lauren homme
sac longchamp
christian louboutin outlet
nike blazer low
air force 1
hollister
nike blazer
ray ban, adidas, ralph lauren online, levi's jeans, tory burch sale, chanel, pandora, tiffany jewelry, air max, nike canada, nike roshe run, tiffany and co, vans, cheap oakley sunglasses, nike free 5.0, swarovski online shop, ralph lauren outlet, tommy hilfiger online, north face, jordans, longchamp, omega watches, mac cosmetics, the north face, insanity workout, michael kors outlet, oakley, air jordan retro, nike free run, toms shoes outlet, nike uk, ray-ban sunglasses, new balance outlet, ugg boots, barbour outlet, the north face, polo ralph lauren outlet online, new balance, roshe run,
ReplyDeleteray-ban sunglasses
ReplyDeletediscount ugg boots
cheap oakley sunglasses
mulberry uk
black friday deals
pandora outlet
belstaff outlet
north face outlet
seattle seahawks
true religion jeans outlet
chanel outlet
salomon shoes
new york knicks
michael kors outlet
hermes birkin bag
adidas wings shoes
canada goose outlet
converse shoes
juicy couture tracksuit
louis vuitton bags cheap
1024minko
chenlili20160325
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags
michael kors bags
cheap air jordans
kate spade purses
nfl jerseys wholesale
jordan retro 8
ralph lauren
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet online
cheap oakleys
hollister clothing store
celine handbags
hollister kids
ray ban sunglasses
air jordan shoes
kate spade outlet
coach factorty outlet
copy watches
coach outlet online
air max 95
nike roshe run
michael kors outlet clearance
rolex watches
abercrombie and fitch
kobe shoes
lebron james shoes 13
replica rolex watches
polo ralph lauren outlet
ralph lauren
oakley vault
louis vuitton purses
moncler kids
coach outlet store
michael kors outlet
nike roshe run mens
ray bans
kate spade outlet
concords 11
tods outlet store
jianbin0518
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags
swarovski crystal
coach outlet
true religion outlet
chrome hearts outlet
rolex watches for sale
tiffany jewelry
fitflops sale clearance
mont blanc outlet
mulberry bags
longchamp outlet
ferragamo shoes
replica watches
cheap jordan shoes
ralph lauren outlet
cheap jordans
tiffany jewelry
michael kors outlet
michael kors handbags clearance
coach outlet online
true religion jeans
longchamp handbags
michael kors outlet
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet store
true religion jeans
burberry outlet
michael kors outlet online
christian louboutin uk
ralph lauren polo
nike air force 1
nba jerseys
nike tn pas cher
nike huarache
oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet online
coach outlet online
tiffany jewelry
ReplyDeletereebok outlet
hogan shoes
nike roshe one
yeezy boost
cheap jordans
ray ban sunglasses
nike huaraches
oakley sunglasses
adidas stan smith shoes
michael kors outlet online
ReplyDeletereplica rolex
cincinnati bengals jerseys
cheap nfl jerseys wholesale
san antonio spurs jerseys
michael kors outlet
raiders jerseys
falcons jersey
ravens jerseys
cleveland cavaliers jersey
christian louboutin shoes
ReplyDeleteray ban sunglasses uk
birkenstock outlet
red bottoms
mizuno running shoes
cheap nhl jerseys
coach outlet
parker pens
louboutin shoes
burberry outlet
2017.3.9xukaimin
titans jersey
ReplyDeletenike air huarache
michael kors outlet store
christian louboutin
michael kors outlet online
buffalo bills jerseys
polo ralph lauren
instyler max
nike huarache trainers
salomon shoes
michael kors handbags
ReplyDeleteprada bags
new balance 574
new balance 990
adidas stan smith trainers
supra footwear
polo ralph lauren shirts
clarks outlet
ferragamo outlet
cheap mlb jerseys
hzx20170605
cheap jordan shoes
ReplyDeletelongchamp bags
ralph lauren
canada goose sale
coach factory outlet online
adidas nmd runner
nike outlet store online
louboutin outlet
cheap jordan shoes
salvatore ferragamo shoes
caiting2018316
vapormax
ReplyDeletemoncler jackets
nike air force 1
cheap jordan shoes
huarache shoes
links of london
bape clothing
nike react flyknit
adidas superstar
yeezy wave runner 700
chenqiuying20180816
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet clearance
ugg boots
christian louboutin shoes
coach outlet
coach outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
ugg boots
cheap oakley sunglasses
moncler jackets
kobe 12
Nice blog and pics as well if you are searching for a best relocation services provider company so just visit on this link- Shifting services in Delhi
ReplyDelete