November 3 - 4, 2012
Audubon Zoo
New Orleans, LA
It is difficult to understand Cajun music without the understanding of a unique and very complex culture.
The roots of Cajun culture began almost 400 years ago when French travellers settled in the area that is known today as Nova Scotia, Canada.
These settlers were mostly seeking relief from economic and religious oppression in western France.
Being largely isolated from Europe, the settlers quickly formed an identity separate from any other, calling their new home "L'Acadie" or "land of plenty."
Governmental control of L'Acadie changed hands many times in the 17th and 18th centuries, but the Acadians maintained their identity in spite of this turmoil.
Tired of constant suppression and suspicion, the Acadians accepted Spain's invitation to settle in Louisiana.
Once in Louisiana, the Acadians found themselves again in a new environment.
They began farming and raising cattle, establishing a homeland for themselves even as control of the area changed from Spanish to French to American hands.
The Acadians were determined to keep their culture alive. One way they did this was by allowing in outside influences- by being inclusive, not exclusive.
The culture gradually absorbed influences from indigenous peoples of the area, from French and Spanish settlers who were already here,
from Africans who began to arrive in greater numbers, from English, Irish and Scottish settlers who made their way in from the surrounding areas, and from Germans immigrants.
As this cultural transformation took place, the French word "Acadiens" gradually changed to "Cadiens".
The same change took place in English: "Acadians" became "Cajuns." The roots were still as strong as ever, but a new branch was flourishing.
Today the Cajun people still survive, speaking much the same language their antecedents did 400 years ago. This cultural integrity had not been easy to maintain.
The surrounding American mass-culture and the powerful reach of television have been perhaps the greatest threat of all to Cajun culture.
But the Cajun way of life has survived, and regional cuisine, architecture, folklore, etc. have been maintained. Perhaps the best known part of Cajun culture,
however, is the music. The audience for this music has grown from an entirely regional following thirty years ago to a large international fanbase today.
Cajun music exhibits the best if the culture. It is a strong, passionate music which does not shy away from direct, honest expression.
It is almost always played for dancing, whether in the old style house dances or in more modern clubs.
Most of the dances are either two-steps, waltzes or blues-influenced one-steps. They are fairly easy and meant to be accessible.
Like many traditional dances, they are more an interaction between the partners and the music than a display of technique.
The fiddle is the oldest of Cajun instruments and it is perhaps through this instrument that the culture finds its true voice.
The diatonic accordion is also very popular, having entered from neighboring Texas towards the end of the last century.
The guitar is also used, mostly as a rhythm instrument, and the triangle provides the traditional percussion.
Many modern groups also include drums, electric bass and electric or steel guitars.
The singing, almost entirely done in the old Cajun French language, is heartfelt and often improvised.
All in all, the instruments and vocals combine to create irresistible dance music that serves to wipe away one's worries.
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