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Lesson

Gumbo! Introduction to Cajun and Zydeco Music

Cajun and Zydeco Music: Flavors of Southwest Louisiana (6-8) / Gumbo! Introduction to Cajun and Zydeco Music

The music and the official state cuisine of Louisiana share many features. A true musical melting pot, the sounds and styles that are unique to the state combine influences and cultural flavors. The birthplace of Cajun and zydeco music is in the southwestern portion of Louisiana known as "Acadiana." Cajuns are descendants of what is today known as Nova Scotia in Canada, while zydeco music comes from Creole heritage, rooted in a combination of Caribbean, West African, Native American, Spanish, and Portuguese influences. Cajun and zydeco music have different roots and have influenced musical taste in southwest Louisiana in unique ways. When people with different ancestry combine similar instrumentation, lyrical themes, language, and rhythms into one pot, the result is a true "musical gumbo!”

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

  1. What's in a Gumbo? People and Place

    • Describe the historical and cultural context in which Cajun and zydeco music developed.
    • 20+ minutes

  2. Put It in the Pot: The Sights and Sounds of Cajun and Zydeco

    • Identify similarities and differences between Cajun and zydeco music.
    • 30+ minutes

  3. Stir It All Up! Make Your Own Musical Gumbo

    • Experience Cajun and zydeco music through engaged listening activities (music-making with a recording).
    • 20+ minutes

More +
Less -

Bibliography

Text

Ancelet, Barry J. 1991. “Cajun and Zydeco Music Traditions.” Folklife in Louisiana.

Reed, Revon. 1967. “Cajun Fais Do-Do.” Liner Notes for Cajun Fais Do-Do. Arhoolie Records ARH00416.

Savoy, Ann. 1987. Cajun Music: A Reflection of the People. Eunice, LA: Bluebird Press.

Strachwitz, Chris. 1997. “‘Zydeco Sont Pas Sale’ - King of the Real Creole French Zydeco.” Liner Notes for Zydeco Sont Pas Sale, by Clifton Chenier. Arhoolie Records ARH09001.

Audio*

Chenier, Clifton. "Zydeco Sont Pas Salé." On J'ai été au bal: I went to the dance, vol. 2, recorded 1965. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00332_105, 1990, streaming audio.

Pitre, Austin. "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale." On Opelousas Waltz, recorded May 8, 1971. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00452_116, 1997, streaming audio.

Abshire, Nathan and The Balfa Brothers. "Cajun Two-Step." On Cajun Fais Do-Do, recorded 1966. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, ARH00416 _101, 1995, streaming audio.

Farr, Mollie. "Pronunciation Recordings: Lesson 1," recorded 2021. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, streaming audio.

Video*

Blank, Les, Chris Strachwitz and Maureen Gosling. J'ai Été Au Bal/ I Went to the Dance (Trailer). El Cerrito, CA: Les Blank Films, 1989, film.

Images*

Erskine, Reed and Susan. "Clifton Chenier," 1974, photograph. Washington, DC: Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian Institution. Taken at the 1974 American Folklife Festival. Provided by the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, CFCH-FAF1974_0193.

Bearden, Romare. Louisiana Serenade, 1979, color lithograph on paper. Washington, DC: Smithsonian American Art Museum. Gift of Eugene I. Schuster.

Miller, Mark. "Gumbo," photograph. Wikimedia Commons, 2012.

TUBS. "Louisiana in United States," digital image. Wikimedia Commons, 2011.

Blache III, Gustave. Cutting Squash (Leah Chase), 2010, oil on panel. Washington, DC: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of the artist in honor of Mr. Richard C. Colton, Jr.

FireflyDesignn. "Cajun Musical Instruments," digital image. Etsy, n.d.

Alexrk2. "Louisiana Location Map," digital image. Wikimedia Commons, July 7, 2009.

Interiot. "Louisiana Regions Map," digital image. Wikimedia Commons, 2006.

Unknown artist. "Louisiana Map," map. Austin, TX: Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL) Map Collection, University of Texas Libraries, n.d. Additional drawings by Mollie Farr.

Lexicon. "Flag of Acadiana," digital graphic. Wikimedia Commons, 2022, Original flag designed by Thomas J. Arceneaux in 1965. Digital graphic created by Wikimedia user Lexicon in 2006, modified by Wikimedia user Xophe84 in 2020, and by Wikimedia user 292Jacob in 2022.

Mueller, Klaus (Mikmaq). "Acadia Map 1754," digital image. Wikimedia Commons, 2018.

Interiot. "Parishes of Acadiana Map," digital image. Wikimedia Commons, 2006.

Hardy, Carol, designer. Folk Masters: Great Performances Recorded Live at the Barns of Wolf Trap, Francis X. Pavy, painter. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 1993, album cover.

Weil, Elizabeth, designer. Zydeco Sont Pas Sale: King of the Real Creole French Zydeco, by Clifton Chenier. Chris Strachwitz, photographer, 1964. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 1997, album cover.

Pope, Wayne, designer. Opelousas Waltz, by Austin Pitre. Les Blank, photographer. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 1997, album cover.

Boudini and Sons. Accordion, ca 1918, musical instrument. Washington, DC: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of Gloria Pocobello.

Thank You (21 Millions+) views. "Dance the Night Away," March 15, 2012, photograph. Flickr.

Strachwitz, Chris. "Clifton and Cleveland Chenier," 1964, photograph. In Zydeco sont pas salé: King of the real Creole French zydeco, by Clifton Chenier. Chris Strachwitz, liner notes. El Cerrito, CA: Arhoolie Records, 1997, p. 6.

Unknown maker. "Triangle with Beater," 1910, musical instrument. Washington, DC: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of Pamela A. Carlin and Evelyn A. Mark in memory of William T. Armstrong.

* Audio, video, and images listed in order of slideshow sequence.