Cajun Country (Folklife in the South Series) [Paperback]

Barry Jean Ancelet (Author), Jay Edwards (Author), Glen Pitre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1991 | Series: Folklife in the South Series

The first book in the Folklife in the South series and by far the broadest look at traditional Cajun culture ever assembled. It not only describes the traditions as they are but also explains how they came to be.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This readable overview by Ancelet, assistant professor of French at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Edwards, associate professor of anthropology at Louisiana State University, pk and filmmaker Pitre will entertain nonspecialists who wish to study aspects of the history and culture of Louisiana Cajuns, descendants of the French-speaking Acadians driven out of Nova Scotia in the 18th century. Subjects range from traditional family structure, courtship rituals and folk medicine to the "eccentric creativity" of chef Paul Prudhomme (who has promoted Cajun cuisine throughout the U.S.), children's games and Cajun singers who have made the hit parade. A discussion of religion explores the Cajun blend of Catholicism and folk religion, highlighting the region's most famous festival: Mardi Gras, a lively mix of medieval and modern that even today offers a "certain aura of outlawry." The scope and detail of coverage vary by topic. For example, funeral customs occupy less than a page, although architectural styles and 19th-century public dances are discussed at greater length. Particularly engaging are transcriptions of songs, traditional tales and jokes, most given in French and English versions. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This first volume of the "Folklife in the South" series provides an insightful study of the Cajun people of south Louisiana. It successfully "attempts to portray their characters by presenting the traditional culture of Cajun country and examining the effects of tradition on modern ways." Although several books are available on various aspects of Cajun culture, this title offers a comprehensive survey of the history, social institutions, material culture, and recreational activities of this unique ethnic group. It is further distinguished by the sound scholarship of folklorists and historians whose writings have been gracefully assembled under one cover. References to source materials are contained within the text, avoiding the use of footnotes and broadening the book's appeal. Researchers will appreciate a discussion of the sources in the bibliographical essay. Highly recommended.
- Eloise R. Hitchcock, Tennessee Tech Univ. Lib., Cookeville
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878054677
• ISBN-13: 978-0878054671
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,085,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Anyone Interested in Cajun Culture!!!, February 10, 2004

By 

Shane K. Bernard "cadien" (New Iberia, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cajun Country (Folklife in the South Series) (Paperback)

I'm surprised that no one has yet reviewed this classic in the field of Cajun studies. "Cajun Country" should be subtitled "Everything You Wanted to Know about Traditional Cajun Culture But Were Afraid to Ask". It contains sections about history, religion, music, cuisine, as well as other aspects of the culture, including architecture, settlement patterns, language, storytelling, joke telling, gaming, folk medicine, and folk justice. Compiled by several top experts in the field, including premier Cajun scholars Barry Jean Ancelet and Carl A. Brasseaux, among others, this book is a "must have" for anyone intrigued by traditional Cajun culture -- note, however, my repeated use of the word "traditional," because this books concerns Cajuns of the past more so than today's Cajuns. An excellent index complements this volume, which I consult frequently as a reference work, although it is highly readable from cover to cover, and presented in a manner that any general reader can understand. Not only is this an excellent book for adults, but I would recommend it to high-school and junior-high readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating history, February 27, 2009

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Nancy McMullen "book club lover" (White Bear Lake MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cajun Country (Folklife in the South Series) (Paperback)

I read this to prepare for an Elderhostel in Lafayette LA. It was a revelation to realize I am practically going to a foreign country (from Minnesota). Every aspect of the Cajun culture was described. I'm looking forward to crawfish.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview of Cajun Folk Culture, November 9, 2006

By 

Matthew Reynolds (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cajun Country (Folklife in the South Series) (Paperback)

I found this book to be a great introduction to "who are the cajuns and where did they come from?" as well as an overview of their folk culture such as food, music and even some architecture. Not overly scholarly, it reads rather easy and would make a great introductory text for anyone who is interested in learning a little more about Cajuns.