Creole Family Traditions

It is hard to imagine anywhere else where people dance in the street, and celebrate life, and let the good times roll other than New Orleans. Many of these celebrating were created by Louisiana Creole families who contribute to society by way of food, family, dance, and music. For example, my cousins Janice and John Cosey are addicted to Creole cooking, dancing, and the passing of old Creole traditions from generation to generation. Aside from being my cousin, John was my teacher. His love for his students and his passion for Creole customs and celebrations were unparalleled. The family tradition of second lining has been passed down through generations of John’s family because it’s important that the custom of honoring deceased

Both cousin Janice and John are regular parade goers who appreciate watching the lavish floats decorated with beads and confetti, and exotic Mardi Gras costumes made of feathers, beads, and vibrant colored fabric. On the morning of last year’s Big Nine parade, I arrived early at Peggy’s home in the Lower Ninth Ward, a close friend of cousin Janice. Both are Big Nine members. They were putting the finishing touch on their suites. Ladies wore yellow with dark color shoes, and men wore burgundy clothing. After Cousin Janice finished gathering us together to take snap photos, we jumped in the car, lights flashing, music blasting and drove to the parade. Parade goers were asking, “Have you seen this person or that person?” You could feel the urge of people wanting to reconnect with old friends and family they hadn’t seen in months. My cousins aren 't just parade spectators; they are full participants in the spectacle. Even Big Mama, Janice’s mom, gathers along the street waiting for the floats to pass by. As the floats approach, she starts waving to the revelers as they pass by hoping to catch some of the trinkets being thrown her way. John told me that, “This has been a family tradition to take part in parades for many years, but I must admit that the Krewe of Zulu Mardi Gras parade is our favorite. It’s like one big party everywhere you go (Personal Interview). “Beads and trash …. just

Being somewhat curious, I asked Cousin John how he survived Katriana. With a big smile on his face, he said, “If I have survived Mardi Gras festivities for all these years, then Katrina was a cakewalk” (Personal Interview). According to the mayor of New Orleans, it is estimated that about 100,000 people had returned, of the 485,000 who lived in New Orleans before the storm. Forty percent of the homes were still without electricity and — again, according to the mayor — half the small businesses, 57,000, may have been lost for good (New Orleans Jazz Funeral). Creoles of South Louisiana are heartwarming folks that knows how to unify people from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, black or white, Catholic or Baptist, New Orleans Creoles believe in laisser le bon roulement de