Difference Between Cajun and Creole
Cajun vs Creole
Cajun and Creole are words that refer to a particular sect of people belonging to Southern Louisiana. Though the words are familiar, people have rarely looked at the differences between the two.
One of the main differences that is said is that Cajuns have rural origins, while the Creole have urban origins. When compared to Creole, Cajuns are known to be people who are more religious, clannish and live private lives.
The Creole world has been traced back to the Spanish word ‘criollo’, which means ‘local or native’. The word was used to portray things that were part of the New World during the time the French and the Spaniards controlled Louisiana. Later the word was used to describe the people from this region.
In contrary to Creole, Cajuns are of Acadian descent. The Acadians were actually French settlers of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. When the English threw the Acadians out of Canada in 1755, they had to move to Louisiana. In Louisiana, the Acadians mixed with French-Creoles, Spanish, Germans, Anglo-Americans and Native-Americans. This led to the formation of the new ethnic group ‘“ Cajuns.
Another major difference that can be seen between Cajun and Creole is in their foods. The food of Creole is Afro-European with some French flair. On the other hand, Cajun foods have a French influence.
One can also see that the two sects of people practise and love different music. However, one can come across many similarities in music between Creole and Cajun music. Where Cajun music is more jazz-oriented and blues-based, Creole music has a more Caribbean and West African feel to it.
Summary
1. Cajuns have rural origins, while the Creole have urban origins.
2. When compared to Creole, Cajuns are known to be people who are more religious, clannish and live private lives.
3. The Creole world has been traced back to the Spanish word ‘criollo’, which means ‘local or native’. The word was used to portray things that were part of the New World during the time the French and the Spaniards controlled Louisiana
4. In contrary to Creole, Cajun is an Acadian descendant. In Louisiana, the Acadians mixed with French-Creoles, Spanish, Germans, Anglo-Americans and Native-Americans. This led to the formation of the new ethnic group ‘“ Cajuns.
5. The food of Creole is Afro-European with some French flair. On the other hand, Cajun foods have a French influence.
6. Where Cajun music is more jazz-oriented and blues-based, Creole music has a more Caribbean and West African feel to it.
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re creole vs cajun: If creole refers to the french and spanish who inhabited the area of Louisiana initially, why do you say cajuns mixed with french creoles but you don’t say cajuns mixed with spanish creoles. It is my understanding the the spanish settlement of Louisiana predated that of the french. If cajuns mixed with spanish of areas/regions other than Louisiana then spanish is applicable. But, if cajuns mixed with spanish from Louisiana shouldn’t they be called spanish creoles. When you say cajuns mixed with germans, etc. do you mean germans, etc. from Louisiana who were locals as were the french and spanish? Would they have been german creole? All in all, I very much enjoy this newsletter and am very happy I found it. I find it very informative and look forward to it.
Thanks
Charlotte Bartolo
From what I understand the Cajuns are Arcadian. These are French settlers living in Canada who were exiled when the English took over. They were thrown out of Canada and shipped to Louisiana. The Creole people are from British Honduras The British Isles and it was heavily occupied by Spain. They migrated to Louisiana before it was purchased by the USA, It was owned by Spain as well.
Your points:
2. Cajuns are more religious? This is based on what?
6. You built your case on Cajuns being French, Spanish, Anglo and German but then say that their music is Jazz and Blues orientated or based. But just a casual review of those 2 art forms shows them to be of African/ Black origins. How can they be attributed to Cajuns then? Jazz is stated to be from New Orleans which is “urban”. Look up WC Handy, Scott Joplin.
Hello to all,although I have to say I’m quite proud to have come across some very interesting &’d intelligent people in this eye opening conversation, where as I consider myself African American, I must share this with you all that,proudly, my mother’s grandfather was of 100% Cajun blood who loved &’d married my great grandmother, whom herself was of mixed parentage,sometimes referred to as ‘Zu Beau'(one of African American &’d Native American blood,I can say am a dark skinned male with hazel colored eyes,my great grandfather’s eye’s were as blue as the sky above, simply stated,I have 1/8th Cajun blood and am ‘Damn Proud’of it as well as Native American ancestry that goes well ‘MotherAfrica’would’nt say!Thanx for reading my comments, and proudly to all my ‘Ragin Cajun’brethren I’ll say Bon Chance et Bon Cois mon ami,sign me ‘Le Chat Homme! Bonbons Ya’ll,oh by the way one of favorite songs is Jerry Reeds ‘Amos Moses’