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he Creoles of South central and blacks or free people of color did in the or the enslaved black Africans. T Southwest Louisiana are part of United States. By the early 18th century there one of the most “complex rural sub- First of all we know that it was the were enough Creoles, or free men of color cultures in North America”. Our mixed Native Americans who inhabited all of (gen de couleur libres), as they were also race or multiracial, multicultural Creoles North America before any of the called, the French decided they needed are born natives of Louisiana. They have Europeans discovered the New World. special laws for them. In 1724 the Code lived on the prairies west of the Missis- In Louisiana we have several sizable Noir was established. It had many sippi River for over 300 hundred years tribes: the Chitimacha, Coushatta, restrictions, but gave Creoles one and are some of the first families of Houma & Tunica-Biloxi. Enter the important privilege enslaved Africans did Louisiana. Official records indicate the French who controlled the Louisiana not have: the right to own land. They Simien’s were amongst the first to settle colony during most of the 18th century took full advantage and began to establish the area in the mid 1700’s. until Spain took over in 1762. Actually their communities that gained strength, The multiracial and multicul- they shared it with the British. Spain got prospered and functioned as a self reliant, tural tapestry of the Creoles is an ex- Louisiana west of the Mississippi and the self contained society that in some ways otic blend of African, French, Spanish, British got all of it east of the river. Prior to still exists today. and Native American heritage whose that the Africans had already been here We are now in the early 19th first language is French. It is nothing for awhile, for as we know the unfortunate century when Thomas Jefferson was short of phenomenal how so many reason why: slavery. Under Spanish President. The U.S. finally got control of different cultures converged to create this and French rule though, the culture of Louisiana by buying from France, every diverse identity. An identity that no other the African slaves was applauded for thing from the Canadian border to the place on the planet shares. One that its uniqueness. As a result, West African Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi to developed from old world and new world dance, gatherings, music and cuisine con- the Rockies: The Louisiana Purchase ingredients to create a new culture. A tinued to survive openly without the (1803). Things changed radically for the culture that has created authentic relentless opression of the British who Creoles at this time. Until the Civil War cuisine, an indigenous language and controlled many of the early colonies in ended in 1865, the Creoles enjoyed their music tradition which gives Louisiana an other parts of the U.S. This is a pivotal separate status for nearly 150 years. international reputation. Our Creoles have point in the history of the Creoles, When Union officials resisted their made very important and specific contri- Louisiana and our country. Racial co- distinctions they were forced to deny their butions to the cultural and racial identity habitation existed in this state in a way it French, Spanish and Native American and history of Louisiana. They shared a did not in any other part of the country. lineage and give up their status in the unique history unlike any other This tolerance of cultural diver- “3- tiered” society that had defined their sity contributed identity for so long. It was during this time greatly to how the that the US government racially identified Creoles later all persons with any African ancestry as thrived as a black. This is another pivotal point in strong and unique the history of Louisiana Creoles. The multicultural pres- Creoles accepted this reality and during ence in Louisiana. Reconstruction became the leaders of However with all their community as they had experi- this racial and enced the problems of being free in a cultural diversity it white mans world, were better educated, was also difficult to were property owners and postured to be classify the Creoles leaders of their new community. into the standard Today though, with all that we categories of now know about the history of the European Creoles, the scope and definition of immigrants or both the word and the concept has African slaves. evolved even further. In Louisiana, They were neither Creole is defined as an ethnicity and black nor white. culture. Culture has no color, but as an They existed during ethnic group with multiracial distinctions, the colonial and the color palette of our Creoles range antebellum periods from white to black and all shades in be- ◄ Crawfish:This is a crustacean as a separate tween! Our Creoles have helped shape and is used in many Creole dishes class, distinct from the cultural identity of this state and we the dominant white are very proud of our unique heritage! Frottoir is the French word for the Zydeco Rubboard that was In 1991 Governor Buddy designed especially for this Roemer proclaimed January genre of music and it means 22nd as Creole Heritage “friction strip” Day in Louisiana. In 2002 this unique percussion Since then 22 other states Instrument was entered into and 36 cities have also the permanent collection at the proclaimed this date Smithsonian National Museum Creole Heritage Day of American History in Washington, DC The Frottoir is now regarded as one of the first percussion Established in 1998, the Louisiana instruments created in the U.S, Creole Heritage Center at Northwest- as most instruments originally ern University in Natchitoches has a came from other countries. partnership with Tulane University in Gumbo is a In addition to all the zydeco New Orleans. They are one of the world famous most respected leaders of the bands using the rubboard to Creole dish. Creole preservation effort in this provide rhythm, It comes from state and in the country. several popular rocK and the African Visit them at country bands liKe ZZ Top, word for okra www.nsula.edu/creole Paul Simon & Bruce Spring- steen have also used it Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday” The accordion provides the Mardi=Tuesday melody in zydeco music. Gras=Fat It was brought to America by the In medieval France a Germans and sold to the Creole fatted bull was butchered after the Civil War. the day before Lent, a In Zydeco music the chromatic period in which eating and diatonic button accordions, as meat was forbidden. well as the piano key are all commonly played in zydeco. Today many Creoles still The Creole Flag The accordion is an old world make this sacrifice for instrument that is played in folk and Lent. They may also give The fleur de lis represents roots music all over the world: up other things as well. the French heritage. The Russia, Germany, Italy, Poland, lower and upper right both Some of the children give Brazil (Forro) and in the Cajun and represent the African up candy for the Lenten Cajunto music of the US heritage of Creoles with period that lasts 40 days the flag of Mali and the star of Senegal. from Ash Wednesday The Spanish Heritage is until Easter Sunday. represented by the Tower The Couleurs of Mardi Gras of Castille all connected by a cross signifies their Purple=Justice deep Christian faith Green=Faith Gold=Power 5 If your family or community had a flag that represented them, like the Creoles do, how do you think yours would look? Would there possibly be a cow or a horse if you came from a family that raised cattle? Or another animal, bird or fish that was important to your family or community in some way? Would there be a mountain, forest or lake depending on where your family lived? Would there be a musical instrument indigenous to your culture. Get creative and really think about those things that represent your family, your history and your heritage! Imagine you are the music critic for your local or school newspaper. You have been assigned to review this con- cert or the CD if your class has one. You have brushed up on the career of Terrance Simien and know more than you ever did about Zydeco Creole for Kidz and The History of Zydeco CD music! In fact you have an Available at terrancesimien.com advantage because you The reference materials used for this study guide were very carefully selected. know a little something about There has been little written specifically on the subject of Louisiana Creole culture. Creole heritage as well. Be We urge you to exercise caution as well when researching these subjects because very honest as you write your as you know there is a lot of questionable material out there on the information opinions about the concert or highway barreling at us at mind blowing speed! We do however, sincerely the CD. Let the reader know appreciate your interest and your enthusiasm for the music, culture and the upcoming “informance” (informational performance). If we can be of further about the instruments that assistance in helping you prepare for the performance please do contact us. were played or what the song lyrics meant to you. Recommended reading Creoles of Color in the Bayou Country Africans in Colonial Louisiana How did the show make you Dr. Carl Brasseaux, Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, Louisiana feel? Which songs were University Press of Mississippi, 1994 State University Press , 1992 your favorite? Creole for Kidz 132 Vivian Drive ● Lafayette, Louisiana 70508 www.terrancesimien.com 337-837-9997 A Glossary of Creole & Zydeco Terms Accordion: The accordion is the main instrument in zydeco and was invented in 1829.