- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Kouri-Vini: The return of the US' lost language
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:06 pm
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:06 pm
LINK
Today, Watson is one of the brightest contemporary talents in American zydeco music. Zydeco is the traditional music of Louisiana Creoles of colour – the historical ethnic group describing mixed-race people born to European settlers and Africans in the colonial US. It blends elements of blues, R&B and soul and relies heavily on percussion techniques that reflect its African American and Afro-Caribbean roots. In addition to English and Louisiana French, it is also sung in Kouri-Vini.
Watson is part of a grass roots resurgence to revive Kouri-Vini, a historical name for the Louisiana Creole language that has been reclaimed to prevent confusion with other things "Creole", such as ethnicity, musical styles and culinary traditions.
Kouri-Vini originated in Louisiana, but in the early 1900s, it spilled over the border to eastern Texas, Watson's native state, and he grew up hearing elderly relatives exchange neighbourhood news in the language. As they died, Watson, who is African American, realised that his ancestral language was dying with them. He began using his stage as a platform to revitalise this language that is deeply rooted in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
In the early 18th Century, newly enslaved people created an amalgam of their native West African languages and the French that colonists used to communicate on the Louisiana sugar and indigo plantations where they toiled. "It's the first language all these Africans coming from different tribes and caste systems would speak when they were enslaved," Watson said. "They had these pidgin languages they would speak for a couple of generations, but it eventually became an organised language, which is Creole (Kouri-Vini)" – whose name comes from the Creole pronunciation of the French verbs "courir" (to run) and "venir" (to come).
Fascinating stuff, but since when is zydeco the music of 'Creoles of color?!?!'
Today, Watson is one of the brightest contemporary talents in American zydeco music. Zydeco is the traditional music of Louisiana Creoles of colour – the historical ethnic group describing mixed-race people born to European settlers and Africans in the colonial US. It blends elements of blues, R&B and soul and relies heavily on percussion techniques that reflect its African American and Afro-Caribbean roots. In addition to English and Louisiana French, it is also sung in Kouri-Vini.
Watson is part of a grass roots resurgence to revive Kouri-Vini, a historical name for the Louisiana Creole language that has been reclaimed to prevent confusion with other things "Creole", such as ethnicity, musical styles and culinary traditions.
Kouri-Vini originated in Louisiana, but in the early 1900s, it spilled over the border to eastern Texas, Watson's native state, and he grew up hearing elderly relatives exchange neighbourhood news in the language. As they died, Watson, who is African American, realised that his ancestral language was dying with them. He began using his stage as a platform to revitalise this language that is deeply rooted in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
In the early 18th Century, newly enslaved people created an amalgam of their native West African languages and the French that colonists used to communicate on the Louisiana sugar and indigo plantations where they toiled. "It's the first language all these Africans coming from different tribes and caste systems would speak when they were enslaved," Watson said. "They had these pidgin languages they would speak for a couple of generations, but it eventually became an organised language, which is Creole (Kouri-Vini)" – whose name comes from the Creole pronunciation of the French verbs "courir" (to run) and "venir" (to come).
Fascinating stuff, but since when is zydeco the music of 'Creoles of color?!?!'
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:11 pm to conservativewifeymom
Never heard of it
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:11 pm to conservativewifeymom
quote:
since when is zydeco the music of 'Creoles of color?!?!'
My thought, exactly. I thought it was a Cajun cultural music. I can see the Cajun and Creole blending music styles to form what we now know as zydeco but it definitely has Cajun roots, not creole.
I kept my Louisiana History textbook from elementary school and it’s amazing how much of our culture and Cajun history used to be taught as opposed to now. Creole history was also covered and showed the differences and similarities of the two cultures as they blended in S La. I need to go dig it out to see if this is covered.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:13 pm to conservativewifeymom
That's how I've always thought of zydeco. I've only seen black zydeco performers.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:15 pm to LSUGrrrl
It's always, always smart to keep older textbooks, especially history, geography English, etc.
Not only are they generally much better in terms of rigor, but they preserve so much info that has been erased over the years.
Not only are they generally much better in terms of rigor, but they preserve so much info that has been erased over the years.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:16 pm to vistajay
Years ago when we were in BR zydeco was being played (very loudly) by some white guys in a bar.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:17 pm to conservativewifeymom
quote:
Fascinating stuff, but since when is zydeco the music of 'Creoles of color?!?!'
looks like another attempt at "everything you love about..."
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:25 pm to conservativewifeymom
quote:
It's always, always smart to keep older textbooks, especially history, geography English, etc.
Yeah, but I said a lot of Hail Mary’s and Our Fathers for “stealing” that book
quote:
Not only are they generally much better in terms of rigor, but they preserve so much info that has been erased over the years.
I wish I’d kept more. I’ve always been very interested in my Cajun roots and history. Only reason I can think of that I kept an elementary school textbook back then. None of my younger siblings were taught any of that history.
How many young people today would know what is The Great Upheaval or The Dispersion much less Le Grand Dérangement?
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:28 pm to conservativewifeymom
This is the only Cajun song I know by heart LINK
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:28 pm to vistajay
quote:
That's how I've always thought of zydeco. I've only seen black zydeco performers.
I'm honestly confused
This post was edited on 3/3/23 at 1:29 pm
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:31 pm to Jim Rockford
Frick. I’m going to hear that in my nightmares now.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:32 pm to LSUGrrrl
quote:
I’m going to hear that in my nightmares now.
you've got to admit that's a spot on Cajun original right there though
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:41 pm to 777Tiger
That’s not Coonass. That’s Dumbass.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:41 pm to conservativewifeymom
Cool post
I know a guy who toured with Cedric for many years, and it was a great experience for him, but got tired of the road.
I know a guy who toured with Cedric for many years, and it was a great experience for him, but got tired of the road.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:48 pm to conservativewifeymom
Why don't they just call it "Opelousas Talk"?
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:52 pm to conservativewifeymom
quote:
Zydeco is the traditional music of Louisiana Creoles of colour
Creoles of Colour?
As opposed to creole's not of colour? Do they even know what Creole means?
And they most certainly have no singular claim to fame on zydeco.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:54 pm to conservativewifeymom
I know some native speakers.
Love zydeco sont pas sale.
Love zydeco sont pas sale.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:57 pm to fr33manator
quote:
Creoles of Colour?
In Acadiana, Creole means French speaking black people.
quote:
And they most certainly have no singular claim to fame on zydeco.
You mean besides inventing it, preserving it, and playing it? Sorry, baw. Zydeco is the music of the Creoles of the Louisiana prairie.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:57 pm to upgrayedd
quote:
Why don't they just call it "Opelousas Talk"?
More like Plaisance.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:59 pm to vistajay
quote:
That's how I've always thought of zydeco. I've only seen black zydeco performers.
Bruh what about the Beatles and Rolling Stones of zydeco, wayne Toups and the butt thing guy?
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News