Swamp People
The people of south Louisiana stem from many diverse and varied ethnic backgrounds. The cooking, music, dancing, and folklore of this region reflect their origins in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
The first Europeans to colonize south Louisiana were the French, who arrived in 1698. During the mid 1700's French settlers from Nova Scotia (Acadia) came to south Louisiana where they adopted a hunting and fishing existence and came to be known as Cajuns (a corruption of Acadian).
During the next century, many additional ethnic groups came to south Louisiana. Some of these joined with the Cajuns in developing a unique culture intimately bound to the natural history of the swamp. As you pass through the exhibit and learn about the natural history of the swamp, you will see how the history of man in south Louisiana revolved around the abundant plant and animal life of this lush, fertile environment.