Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008 - (Page 55)

As do most Louisiana cultures, the Houma have a complex relationship with their food. Unlike most other ethnic groups in the state, however, the Houma can truly say that their food shaped their history, their status, their political survival. This relationship extends from their first meeting with Europeans, where foodways both reflected their culture and bridged a gap with the Europeans, where their sprinkling sacred herbs on French crosses was an attempt to forge common ground with people who looked different, sounded different, and acted different. This relationship with food continued as the Houma became a large supplier for New Orleans food markets, both in raw bulk and in seasonings. Unfortunately, this strong relationship with food eventually worked against the tribe, as their geographic and political positions were usurped by Germans, Canary Islanders, and Acadians who contributed to the gumbo that is not only Louisiana food but also Louisiana history. LCV –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– J. Daniel d’Oney, Ph.D., is associate professor in the Department of Arts and Sciences at the Albany (New York) College of Pharmacy. He received a Louisiana Publishing Initiative Grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities to pursue a book about the Houma Indians. that made invasion of the city so difficult, created a protective ring around New Orleans. As closely as can be determined, almost 2,000 Canary Islanders made it to their settlements, a little over half of them wives and children of the soldiers. At first glance, these are not impressive numbers. Several thousand settlers spread out over four hamlets meant that only a couple of hundred Canary Islanders would have been at any one place, and only a small number of them could have been soldiers. Yet, numbers alone give an inaccurate view of the situation. Canary Islanders moved into the Lafourche region slowly but steadily, and every passing month tipped the balance of power away from the Houma. Even more important than the actual number of settlers and soldiers was that they quickly proved themselves reliable warriors and dependable farmers and hunters. Increased reliance on Canary Islanders and nearby Cajuns dissipated Spanish reliance on the Houma as a buffer against invasion and starvation. The Louisiana Humanities Center at Turners’ Hall in New Orleans Central Business District offers meeting space for rent. • The Patrick F. Taylor Auditorium offers video conferencing capabilities, DVD and VCR media, as well as a desktop computer and a portal for laptops. The room seats 120 and is large enough for standing-room receptions of 200. • A fully-equipped kitchen and house caterers are available to provide lunch or dinner for meetings and receptions of all sizes. • Smaller conference rooms are also available. For more information, log on to www.leh.org or contact Brian Boyles at (504) 620-2632. FIRST CHOICE SECURITY, INC. Security Guard Service Let a group of dedicated professionals experienced in security provide your company with the safety you deserve 938 Lafayette Street Suite 105 New Orleans, LA 70113 Office: (504) 598-2198 Fax: (504) 598-2199 firstchoicekj@yahoo.com www.firstchoicesecurity.biz Services: Mobile Patrol, Two Marked Patrol Units, and Two Unmarked Patrol Units. Specializing in: Hotels, Hospitals, Restaurants, Apartment Complex Security, Churches, Weddings, Parties, Receptions, Concerts, Special Events and Nursing Homes and School Security. FOOD AS IDENTITY Let First Choice Security be your first choice in security. Fall 2008/LOUISIANA CULTURAL VISTAS 55 http://www.leh.org http://www.firstchoicesecurity.biz http://www.firstchoicesecurity.biz http://www.bevolo.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008

Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008 Contents Friends Editor’s Column Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities New Orleans Immortelle The Historic New Orleans Collection Highland-Fairfield: The Historic Heart of Shreveport The Ogden Museum of Southern Art Perils of the Mississippi River Louisiana Foodways Harvest of Life King Oliver: The Forgotten King of Jazz Louisiana Architecture Jazz Notes Louisiana State Museum Eye of the Storm Louisiana Association of Museums Soul Resin Bookstand Sound Advice Forum

Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008

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