The Cajuns (/ ˈkeɪdʒənz /; French: les Cadjins [le kadʒɛ̃] or les Cadiens [le kadjɛ̃]), also known as Louisiana Acadians (French: les Acadiens), [4] are a Louisiana French ethnicity mainly found in the US state of Louisiana and surrounding Gulf Coast states.

Oct 16, 2020 · South Louisiana’s reputation as Cajun Country may seem as natural and inevitable as Spanish moss on a live oak tree, but it's actually a fairly recent phenomenon, the latest twist in a long story about Creole identity and United States race relations.

The Cajun people first came to Louisiana in the Great Upheaval or Expulsion, which was a mass deportation of thousands of people from Acadie by the British in early 1755. Hundreds were imprisoned; many were separated from their homes and families, and thousands of …

Mar 19, 2025 · The so-called Cajun cuisine reflects the mixture of cultures in Louisiana. Among its classic dishes are alligator stew, jambalaya, gumbo—actually a Creole dish, made with a roux—and crayfish (or other seafood) étouffée, served over rice.

Dec 11, 2020 · The people who would come to be known as Cajuns are the descendants of some of the earliest French settlers in the New World, specifically in what is now the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Migration to this area, then known as Acadia, centered around the settlements at Port-Royal in 1604 and later at Grand-Pré, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Feb 3, 2011 · I titled the book The Truth About the Cajuns, intending to dispel the myths and stereotypes that many had attached to the Cajun people. I wanted to try to set the record straight regarding the true characteristics of the Cajuns.

Feb 26, 2025 · Originating from the Acadians who were displaced from Canada during the 18th century, the term “Cajun” has transcended its geographical roots to symbolize a unique lifestyle that embraces community, family, and a deep connection to the land.

They are descendants of some of the first white men to settle North America, coming from Brittany, Poitou, Normandy and across France, to establish their first permanent colony in what is now the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. That was in 1604, three years before Jamestown, four years before Quebec, and 15 years before the Mayflower.

The word Cajun originates from the French pronunciation of “le Acadian,” shortened to “le ‘Cadians.” When the Acadians arrived in Louisiana the word was changed to Cajun by English speakers. However, before this area became known as Acadiana or Cajun, it …

Feb 15, 2025 · When someone identifies as Cajun, it signifies that they belong to or are connected to the cultural group that descends from the French Acadians who settled in Louisiana.