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Our French Heritage: Creole
No. 24, May 25, 1999, of the Lafayette (LA) Daily
Advertiser's HISTORY OF ACADIANA, a publication dedicated to preserving
Acadiana's heritage and culture
- Definition of Créole can depend upon who's using it
- Ties overruled racial identity
- There are debates about Créole language, too. It is kin to other Louisiana French languages. The question is: How close?
- Cable described land of Créole planters
- Mythical "Créoles" were delightful paragons of chivalry
- Farmers delayed introduction of slavery, First colonists were looking for riches, not good crops
- Free people of color stood between social classes, "There is no spot where the man of color has been of such importance"
- Old record lists early free men of color
- Most Louisiana slaves came from Senegal
- Code Noir opened opportunities found only in Louisiana
- Saint-Domingue was jewel of colonial France, Sugar island once was most coveted colonial possession
- Revolution affected entire French-speaking world
- Declaration of Rights of Man inspired fights for freedom
- Events in France touched off uprisings in Caribbean
- Toussaint claimed heritage from African king, Reading and riding were his early loves
- France finally abolished slavery in its colonies in 1848, Assembly called practice "attack on human dignity"
- Louisiana felt effects of revolutions in France, Haiti
- Slaves did rebel against Louisiana masters
- People of color formed ciprière communities, The cypress industry grew in importance under Spanish rules in Louisiana
- Magic was an early ingredient of Créole slave culture
- Baratarian smugglers were also driven from West Indies
- Napoleon's soldiers had tough time getting to Louisiana
- South Louisiana has ethnic tradition like none other
- European French came for diverse reasons, They helped keep Louisiana's Gallic accent
- Americanization brought new roles for Créole of color
- Some important dates in colonial and Créole Louisiana
- Further Reading