COURIR DE MARDI GRAS

Traditionally known as Courir de Mardi Gras, festivities occur in towns throughout central Louisiana’s Cajun Country. Rooted in French medieval history, the Courir de Mardi Gras has many rituals that come together in a celebration on Fat Tuesday. The main event in a Cajun Country Mardi Gras is the traditional courir or “run” led by the capitaine of the Mardi Gras. -

Cajun Country Mardi Gras is a must for anyone seeking authentic Louisiana. Make plans now to attend this year's festivities and participate in Courir de Mardi Gras March 4, 2014. -

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Photo:  Nighttime parade in Lafayette, Louisiana

A NATIONAL ETHNIC GROUP

Cajuns were officially recognized by the U.S. government as a national ethnic group in 1980 per a discrimination lawsuit filed in federal district court. Presided over by Judge Edwin Hunter, the case, known as Roach v. Dresser Industries Valve and Instrument Division (494 F.Supp. 215, D.C. La., 1980), hinged on the issue of the Cajuns' ethnicity. Significantly, Judge Hunter held in his ruling that:"We conclude that plaintiff is protected by Title VII's ban on national origin discrimination.

The Louisiana Acadian (Cajun) is alive and well. He is “up front” and “main stream.” He is not asking for any special treatment. By affording coverage under the “national origin” clause of Title VII he is afforded no special privilege. He is given only the same protection as those with English, Spanish, French, Iranian, Czechoslavakian, Portuguese, Polish, Mexican, Italian, Irish, et al., ancestors."

The word "Cajun" is the anglicised pronunciation of Cadien (the truncated form of Acadian in French). There is some dispute over the origin of the term Acadia; some suggest that it came from the name of the ancient Greek region of Arcadia; others suggest that it is a derivation of the Mikmaq Indian word cadique, meaning "a good place to set up camp."

PRAYER FOR PATERNAL BLESSISNG

In old Quebec the paternal blessing was one of the most moving times of  the New Year.
It reaffirmed the father’s authority and preceded the mass which
the entire family attended before going to share a meal with the grand-parents.
It was a significant gathering at which the following prayer was generally
recited:

May God bless you and
grant you health and  happiness
throughout the coming year,
in the name of the Father,
the Son  and the Holy Spirit. Amen.