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Cajuns at the Crossroads In South Louisiana, there is a world that moves to its own rhythm--a rhythm that defies the pace of modern America. This is Cajun country. The music, language and folk traditions of the first French-speaking settlers have endured with remarkable integrity for nearly three centuries. Today, many Cajun families cultivate the same land forged by their colonial forefathers. A largely agrarian society, work remains the focus of daily life while social activities revolve around the kitchen table. Catholicism still plays a central role in Cajuns' everyday existence. The pre-Lenten Mardi Gras rides clearly reflect their ancestral roots to the rural peasantry of Europe. But Cajun country is rapidly changing. The once isolated ethnic enclave has become increasingly influenced by mainstream popular culture. And with modernization, the Cajun’s unique way of life and folk traditions may fade into obscurity. |