Why do Cajuns say Sha?

Why do Cajuns say Sha?

Cher- Forget the woman who sang with Bono, this word isn't pronounced "share;" the correct Cajun pronunciation is "sha" and it means "sweet" or "dear". Cajun women are more prone to say "Cher bebe!" than "What a cute baby!"

What language do Cajuns speak?

However, "Cajun French" is commonly used in lay discourse by speakers of the language and other inhabitants of Louisiana. Louisiana French should further not be confused with Louisiana Creole, a distinct French-based creole language indigenous to Louisiana and spoken across racial lines.

Where does the Cajun accent come from?

Cajun English is spoken throughout Louisiana and up through the gulf of Texas. Its speakers are often descendants of Acadians from Nova Scotia, Canada, who in 1765 migrated to French-owned Louisiana when the British took control of Nova Scotia.

Where did Cajuns originally come from?

Cajun cooking styles originated in Louisiana from a group of people who had their roots in France but were immigrants to Canada. They were exiled from Canada and eventually settled in the swamps and bayous of southern Louisiana. They are known as Acadians and are a unique cultural group with their own language.

What does mais la mean in Cajun French?

Mais: Well then! Technically, this is a French word meaning but. BUT! In South Louisiana, especially among those who don't speak Cajun French anymore, it's basically become an interjection that more or less means “Well then” and is used to delight, shock, exasperation — any number of things.

Why did Acadians go to Louisiana?

They deported approximately 11,500 Acadians from the maritime region. … After being expelled to France, many Acadians were eventually recruited by the Spanish government to migrate to present day Louisiana state (known then as Spanish colonial Luisiana), where they developed what became known as Cajun culture.

How many Cajuns are there?

After Acadians began arriving in Louisiana, perhaps as early as 1756, the population increased rapidly, from about 6,000 in 1810 to 35,000 in 1815 to 270,000 in 1880. Cajuns usually use English as the contact language and as the Domestic language in an increasing number of homes.

What it means to be Cajun?

The term “Cajun” refers to a group of people who settled in Southern Louisiana after being exiled from Acadia (now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) in the mid 1700s. … Of course, commodifying Cajun-ness (making it something that you can buy) means that, now, anyone can purchase and consume it.

What is Cajun a mix of?

What Is Cajun Seasoning? … It's a rustic seasoning blend that hails from Louisiana, the home of delicious Cajun cuisine. Everyone tends to have their own spin on it, but in general, it's a spicy blend featuring lots of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, pepper and oregano.

What is Cajun culture?

Cajuns are a group of people largely residing in southern Louisiana, a region rich with the history of several cultures. Descended from the Acadians, French settlers from Atlantic Canada, today they celebrate a diverse and vibrant culture unlike any other.

What is Cajun seasoning made of?

No, but really. Cajun spice or seasoning contains super flavorful components such as garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt, oregano, and thyme. To give it its world famous kick, this DIY Cajun seasoning contains chili flakes, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, and smoky paprika!

Are Creole black?

This three-tiered society included white Creoles; a prosperous, educated group of mixed-race Creoles of European, African and Native American descent; and the far larger class of African and Black Creole slaves. The status of mixed-race Creoles of color (Gens de Couleur Libres) was one they guarded carefully.

How did Cajuns get to Louisiana?

The Cajuns are of French descent and originally lived in parts of Eastern Canada. They were pushed out of Canada around the middle 1700's by the British. The French had already settled in southern Louisiana from around 100 years before, so it seemed like a natural place for the migration.

What does SHA in Cajun mean?

Sha (sha) – Cajun and Creole slang, derived from the French "cher". A term of affection meaning darling, dear, or sweetheart.

Why is Louisiana French?

The French explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle named the region Louisiana in 1682 to honor France's King Louis XIV. The first permanent settlement, Fort Maurepas (at what is now Ocean Springs, Mississippi, near Biloxi), was founded in 1699 by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, a French military officer from Canada.

Where did the Cajuns live before moving to Louisiana?

Some of them found their way to south Louisiana and began settling in the rural areas west of New Orleans. By the early 1800s, nearly 4000 Acadians had arrived and settled in Louisiana. Many lived in the bayou country where they hunted, fished, trapped, and lived off the bounty of the Mississippi River delta.