The well-known Acadian folklorist and historian Georges Arsenault will givean illustrated talk on two ancient and popular Acadian winter celebrations.The first is known as Chandeleur (Candlemas) and takes place on February 2.The second, called Mi-Carême, is celebrated a few weeks later in the middleof Lent.Georges Arsenault has researched the origins of these joyful traditions andhow they were observed in Acadian communities in Eastern Canada. Publishedby Acorn Press and translated by Sally Ross, the English titles of his twobooks on these winter festivities are: Acadian Traditions on Candlemas Day:Candles, Pancakes, and House Visits and Acadian Mi-Carême: Masks andMerrymaking.Candlemas Day was at one time an important religious and social festivity.Pancakes were the symbolic food of choice. In many Acadian villages, youngmen went from door-to-door collecting food either for a communal feast or togive to the poor. To celebrate Mid-Lent, people visited each other's homesdressed up in masks and costumes, as they still do in the Chéticamp regionof Cape Breton. In some villages, a scary woman called the Mi-Carêmedistributed candies to good little children. In his presentation, Arsenaultwill trace the evolution of these traditions, highlight modern-daycelebrations, and look at the role they still play in Acadian culture.

Based on written sources and interviews with Acadians throughout the Maritimes, Acadian Christmas Traditions offers a fascinating look at the evolution of Christmas. This very readable book shows how customs, both spiritual and secular, take hold in families, in villages, and in a culture as a whole. Georges Arsenault, the well-known historian and folklorist, examines all the aspects of the feast of Christmas, from midnight mass to holiday foods. As he chronicles the cultural changes that have taken place over the centuries, he proves that Acadian Christmas today is the result of a wonderful blending of old, new, and borrowed traditions.

From the time of their arrival on Isle Saint-Jean in the early 1700s,Acadian women played a major role in the survival of the colony.Over the generations, they have been active in the home and in the community. They have nursed, taught, worked, sung, prayed, and served. Integrated into a well-documented text with numerous photographs, their testimonies provide a history of the Acadie of Prince Edward Island. This book relates how that history was lived by Acadian women and influenced by their action and determination.

Although her primary aim was to write in Acadian French to preserve the language and culture of her ancestors, Marie-Colombe saw the need to write for her English-speaking friends. After all, they too lived in an era when there were no modern conveniences such as electricity and bathrooms. She felt they, like her Acadian friends and relatives, would also enjoy her humorous anecdotes of the past. So she decided to undertake the challenging task of translating her first book.

Embark on a thrilling trip into the heart of tradition and magic with "The Mystery Behind the Candlemas Day." In this beautifully designed examination, the celebration of Candlemas transcends from a simple rite into a complex tapestry of history, culture, and modern importance. Unveil the ancient roots that sustain this intriguing tradition, exploring its beginnings via tales and myths that have lasted the test of time. Delve into the symbolism underlying the Candlemas event, when light and darkness merge, signifying a key seasonal change. Witness the diverse customs and rituals, both ancient and modern, as they unfold across civilizations, presenting a genuinely global perspective on this enthralling event. As the adventure develops, immerse yourself in personal histories, magical mythology, and the unexplained mysteries that surround Candlemas. From the warmth of community meetings to the mystical experiences recounted by celebrants, the book creates a story that transcends beyond the pages, asking you to join in the spirit of the celebration. "Reflecting on Candlemas Day" serves as a meditative place, urging readers to embrace the mystery and find peace in the ever-present dance between light and darkness. This isn't just a book; it's an invitation to explore, ponder, and keep the beauty of Candlemas with you long after you've turned the last page. Are you ready to solve the secrets and appreciate the everlasting beauty of Candlemas? Join us in this journey by getting your copy of "The Mystery Behind the Candlemas Day" now. Let the pages take you into a world where tradition and mystery collide, and the celebration spreads well beyond the bounds of the book. Experience the magic - purchase your copy today and be part of the trip

"In this book, Gerard J. Brault offers an introduction to Franco- American culture, covering the group's history, ideology, language, and literature; architecture, art, folklore, and music; demography, education, politics, religion, and sociology. " Back cover of book.

French traditions in America do not live solely in Louisiana. Franco-American Identity, Community, and La Guiannée travels to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, to mark the Franco-American traditions still practiced in both these Midwestern towns. This Franco-American cultural identity has continued for over 250 years, surviving language loss, extreme sociopolitical pressures, and the American Midwest's demands for conformity. Ethnic identity presents itself in many forms, including festivals and traditional celebrations, which take on an even more profound and visible role when language loss occurs. On New Year's Eve, the guionneurs, revelers who participate in the celebration, disguise themselves in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century costume and travel throughout their town, singing and wishing New Year's greetings to other members of the community. This celebration, like such others as Cajun Mardi Gras in Louisiana, Mumming in Ireland and Newfoundland, as well as the Carnaval de Binche, belongs to a category of begging quest festivals that have endured since the Medieval Age. These festivals may have also adapted or evolved from pre-Christian pagan rituals. Anna Servaes produces a historical context for both the development of French American culture as well as La Guiannée in order to understand contemporary identity. She analyzes the celebration, which affirms ethnic community, drawing upon theories by influential anthropologist Victor Turner. In addition, Servaes discusses cultural continuity and its relationship to language, revealing contemporary expressions of Franco-American identity.