Eastertime in Cajun Country

The Easter holidays provide vivid Cajun childhood memories. Maybe the week of school vacation gives cause for celebration, or just that it's spring and nature seems to be "greening out" again! Children in Acadiana, like youngsters in other regions, anticipate a basket of candy from the Easter Bunny and enjoy the fun of hunting for colorful eggs. Depending on the particular child's personality, the dressy new clothes usually worn on Easter Sunday can be agony or ecstasy---so too is the prospect of spending "quality time" with numerous relatives at traditional holiday get-togethers. The Easter meal is usually a mouth-watering feast prepared with collaborative efforts of several aunts, sisters-in-law, a grandmother or two, and even some male members of the extended Cajun family.

Easter has deep religious significance in the mostly Catholic region of southwest Louisiana. During the pre-Easter season of Lent, called Kah-rham' in Cajun French, devout families participate in church-related activities which include penance and extra prayers. Restaurants in Acadiana commonly serve plenty of seafood because many local people abstain from eating meat on Fridays. Cajun communities usually do not schedule public dances during the six weeks of Lent. Even those who have lapsed somewhat in the practice of their religion tend to perform annual "Easter Duties" by having their confessions heard in preparation for Holy Communion.

One week before Easter, on Palm Sunday, the faithful bring small vials of water and palm leaves for blessing during mass services. According to Cajun tradition, the sanctified items are placed in the home (often on the wall above each bed) to give protection against bad weather and illness.

Among devout Cajuns, fasting and meditation are the norm for the morning of Good Friday. Cajun children were traditionally discouraged from playing outdoors by a superstition that digging in the ground would cause blood to seep up through the dirt (more than a few brave youngsters have tested that fallacious warning, however). One of the holiest traditions in Acadiana is held at local Catholic churches, usually during mid-afternoon of Good Friday. In the very solemn observance called the Way of the Cross, participants pray at a succession of 14 stations which commemorate Christ's suffering and death. The darkened interior, cloth-draped statues, and heavy quietness of the church evoke a deep sense of reverence among those in attendance. In a few small communities such as Coteau (koe'toe), the Way of the Cross is conducted outdoors as a walking pilgrimmage and reflection of Jesus' holy trek.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic