Africans in Louisiana: An Afrocentric Analysis of Southwest Louisiana’s Culture through the Lens of Spirituality

Abstract

This dissertation demonstrates the Louisiana “Creole” culture from the Afrocentric perspective. This is unique as much of the research in the field has not been conducted from this perspective. It will specifically look at the language, food, music, dance, and spirituality of the southwest region of the state. These aspects were chosen due to their centrality and primacy in the culture, as well as their clear continuity from Africa. This research will also evaluate the African culture of Louisiana that is often defined as “Creole” and sometimes “Cajun.” It will interrogate the idea of “Creole” (creolite/creoleness, creolization), which is often defined as a mixture of various cultures/races and as a culture indigenous to a new land, through the theory of Afrocentricity. Ultimately this study is needed in order to demonstrate the Afrocentric claim that culture was not destroyed in the African Diaspora but instead maintained.