Overview of the culture of Louisiana
The
culture of Louisiana
involves its music, food, religion, clothing, language, architecture, art, literature, games, and sports. Often, these elements are the basis for one of the many festivals in the state. Louisiana, while sharing many similarities to its neighbors along the
Gulf Coast
, is unique in the influence of
Louisiana French
culture, due to the historical waves of immigration of French-speaking settlers to Louisiana. Likewise,
African-American culture
plays a prominent role. While
New Orleans
, as the largest city, has had an outsize influence on Louisiana throughout its history, other regions both rural and urban have contributed their shared histories and identities to the culture of the state.
Religion
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The first non-Native American religion in Louisiana was
Roman Catholicism
,
[1]
as a result of the predominantly Catholic
French
and
Spanish
control of colonial Louisiana. After the
Louisiana Purchase
in 1803,
Protestantism
was introduced to the territory.
Methodists
,
Baptists
, and
Presbyterians
were later joined by other Protestant traditions such as
Lutherans
, who were often
German
immigrants. Louisiana remains a cultural pot with many different religions. More recent immigrants have brought
Buddhism
and
Islam, etc.
into Louisiana.
[2]
Also,
Voodoo
is often practiced in south Louisiana, especially in
New Orleans
.
[3]
[4]
Arts
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Music
[
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]
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz.
[5]
Jazz
is a kind of music with strong rhythms and much
syncopation
, often improvised. Brass bands and piano players helped create this new sound.
Louisiana blues
is also a link to the past musical culture.
[6]
The early Cajuns often held dance parties in their rural homes. Entire families came, and the young children were put on blanket pallets in the bedroom. They were told to go to sleep, which in French is
fais-do-do
. This became the name of these dance parties, and today the term
fais-do-do
refers to a Cajun dance.
Zydeco
is the special type of music of French-speaking
Louisiana Creoles
of South Louisiana. It is much like Cajun music; the song is sung in French and played on an accordion. An added instrument, the
rub-board
is used for rhythm.
[7]
Country music is part of the heritage of North Louisiana. In the days before television, when people gathered for entertainment, musicians brought their instruments. Their string bands usually included a guitar, a fiddle, and a mandolin. This traditional southern country music developed into
bluegrass music
and then into modern country music. This heritage continues with a state fiddling championship held each year at Marthaville in
Natchitoches Parish
.
[8]
Many early rock-and-roll musicians started out singing
gospel music
in the state. Gospel is church music that blends elements of folk music,
spirituals
, hymns, and popular music.
[9]
More formal classical music also contributes to the musical sound of Louisiana.
Orchestras
have created musical culture since colonial days. Young musicians today continue this tradition as they audition for the Louisiana Youth Orchestra in
Baton Rouge
.
Another variety of music that is heard commonly between the Gonzales, Baton Rouge and Hammond areas is
Swamp pop
.
[10]
Food
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The state is predominantly known for both its
Cajun cuisine
,
Creole cuisine
, and
Native American
cuisine.
Creole cuisine is influenced by traditional French cooking with Spanish,
African
, and Indian influences.
[11]
Cajun cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the United States. People in Southern Louisiana say that others eat to live, while they live to eat.
[12]
Although the food most identified with the state is the
Cajun
and
Creole
food of
South Louisiana
,
North Louisiana
also has its own unique cuisine. Traditionally, southern style
soul food
such as smothered pork chops, chicken and dumplings, candied yams, hot water cornbread, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and black-eyed peas are commonly eaten in North Louisiana. Natchitoches is famous for its
meat pie
. For many years, crawfish were not eaten outside of
Cajun country
. People north of
Alexandria
were more likely to eat fried chicken or barbecue. Fish fries featuring catfish took the place of crawfish boils. Today, boiled crawfish is served throughout the state.
Other foods popular in Louisiana include
gumbo
,
etouffee
,
jambalaya
,
muffuletta
,
po'boy
, and
red beans and rice
. Seafood is especially popular in Louisiana either as an ingredient or as a main dish such as
shrimp
,
crawfish
,
crabs
,
oysters
and
catfish
.
Swamp
denizens such as gator, frog legs, and
turtle soup
is popular around the
bayous
of south Louisiana.
Famous desserts and snacks include
king cake
,
beignets
,
pralines
,
sweet potato pie
and
pecan pie
.
Festivals and carnivals
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Louisiana is known for many festivals such as the
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
,
Bayou Country Superfest
,
Essence Music Festival
,
Festival International
,
Voodoo Experience
and its most famous,
Mardi Gras
. Other popular festivals throughout the state include the
Alligator Festival
, Andouille Festival in
LaPlace
,
Bridge City
Gumbo Festival, Etoufee Festival in
Arnaudville
,
French Quarter Festival
,
Gretna Heritage Festival
,
International Rice Festival
,
Jambalaya Festival
in
Gonzales
, Louisiana Cajun Food Festival in
Kaplan
,
Louisiana Catfish Festival
, Louisiana Crawfish Festival in
Breaux Bridge
, Louisiana Pecan Festival in
Colfax
, Louisiana Seafood Festival in
New Orleans
, Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in
Morgan City
, Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival in
New Iberia
, Louisiana Watermelon Festival in
Farmerville
, Mudbug Maddness in
Shreveport
,
Natchitoches Christmas Festival
,
Natchitoches Meat Pie
Festival, Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival,
New Orleans
Oyster Festival,
New Orleans
Po-Boy Preservation Festival, Orange Festival in
Buras
,
Ponchatoula
Strawberry Festival,
Rayne
Frog Festival,
Red River Revel
,
Satchmo SummerFest
,
Southern Decadence
, State Fair of Louisiana in
Shreveport
, Zwolle Hot Tamale festival in Zwolle, Tales of the Cocktail in
New Orleans
,
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
and
Yambilee Festival
. Annual crawfish boils and crawfish cook-offs are also popular.
Sports
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Sports are very popular in Louisiana.
[13]
American football
is the most popular sport throughout the state. Other popular athletic sports include basketball and baseball. Also, recreational sports such as hunting and fishing are also popular. Because of this, the state is often called "Sportsman's Paradise" locally.
[14]
Since 1958, the
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
has honored the elite figures in state sports history. The state has many sports teams for high school, college and professional athletes.
[15]
Professional
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College
[
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High school
[
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Stadiums and arenas
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References
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