When exiled Acadians were driven out of Nova Scotia by the English in the mid-1700s, the arduous journey that led ultimately to the swamps and bayous of South Louisiana separated them from their geographic and cultural roots by thousands of miles. However, in many ways these cultural connections have grown stronger with time. Lafourche Parish, which is affectionately known as “Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou,” is a region where the roots of Acadian culture—from the language and music to the cuisine and traditions passed from one generation to the next—spread deep and wide. No surprise, then, that the bonds between the Acadian and Cajun cultures have taken root in the rich soil along Bayou Lafourche.
in July, 2022, tourism officials from Lafourche and Nova Scotia launched a historic cultural tourism partnership, From Acadian to Cajun: Two Countries, One Culture.
In an effort to preserve the legacy of the Cajun and Acadian people, in July, 2022, tourism officials from Lafourche and Nova Scotia launched a historic cultural tourism partnership, From Acadian to Cajun: Two Countries, One Culture. The goal of the partnership is to better understand the connections that bind these two geographically distant cultural cousins together, to acknowledge the origins of Cajun culture, and to share this knowledge to encourage future generations to continue preserving traditions from one generation to the next.
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Cooking demonstration at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA
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Cooking demo at the John Folse Culinary Institute
During the past year, the Lafourche and Nova Scotia groups have hosted a joint virtual media event, which featured cooking demos presented in conjunction with the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, and a Cajun Music Jam at Gina’s at the Legion with musician Daniel Leblanc. In August, 2023, the Louisiana Cajun Bayou team traveled to Nova Scotia for a cultural immersion trip that took them to historic settlements including Clare, Argyle, and Yarmouth. After the team returned to Louisiana, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson III signed a proclamation recognizing August 15 as Acadian Heritage Day in Lafourche Parish to acknowledge the work being done to promote Acadian and Cajun culture in the parish.
More events are planned for the future, so stay tuned to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Acadian to Cajun campaign site. There, you’ll be able to learn some words in the Cajun dialect, research where to taste authentic Bayou Lafourche culinary flavors, and find out about attractions and upcoming events that capture the essence of Cajun culture.
