HAVE YOURSELF A VERY CAJUN CHRISTMAS

It’s that wonderful time of year where families gather, gifts and stories are shared, we light giant bonfires, and we all eagerly await a man dressed in fur, traveling by a gator propelled pirogue to replace the carrots in our shoes with candy… Oh wait, that’s just a Cajun thing? 

Regardless of where and how you celebrate Christmas, I hope you can include a little Cajun “Joie de vivre” this holiday season. Here are a few Cajun Christmas traditions to consider.

Most people have heard of Santa Claus. He goes by many names St. Nick, Kris Kringle, Sinterklaas. In Louisiana, he goes by the name Papa Noël. He is very much like the modern

Santa, but he was brought to Louisiana by early French immigrants. In France, and in more traditional parts of the state, he can be known as Père Noël. According to French tradition, children leave their shoes by the fireplace filled with carrots and treats for Papa Noël’s donkey. If the children have been good, the carrots are replaced with gifts like candy, money, or small toys. 

Papa Noël is not dressed in the typical red suit, but is often described as wearing muskrat hides. He has also forgone the sleigh and opted for a pirogue pulled by eight alligators. To ensure that Papa Noël can find his way to rural bayou communities, families construct large and intricate bonfires along the levees to light the way on Christmas Eve. Around a 30 mile stretch of levees in St. James, St. John the Baptist, and Ascension parishes are alit with glowing fires. Most are large, 20 to 30 foot tall, pyramids. Others are magnificent sculptures depicting swamp life and creatures. 

A Cajun Christmas wouldn’t be complete without delicious foods. Gumbos, rice dressing or dirty rice, boudin, and wild game are all popular fare at the holiday dinner table. 

Don’t forget after Christmas, on New Year’s Eve, La Christiane may pay you a visit too. Another Cajun traditional gift bringer, La Christiane was a figure likely brought over by Swiss Immigrants. She likes to visit on New Year’s Eve and brings homemade gifts to welcome in the New Year.

Wherever you may be, we hope that your Christmas is filled with love, cheer, and happiness. Joyeux Noël and bonne Année from the Swamp Base Team!