Folklife Entries

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Accordion Making: The diatonic button accordion is a prominent and distinguishing feature of Cajun music, first imported to Louisiana from Europe in the late nineteenth century by German Jewish immigrants. Learn more »

Basketry - Native American: A hallmark of southeastern Indian societies, cane basketry traditions persist in fewer than ten contemporary tribal communities in the southeastern United States, including three in Louisiana. Learn more »
Blues Music: Of the 119 musicians inducted into the national Blues Hall of Fame, roughly twenty percent are from Louisiana. Learn more »
Brice, Bruce: Bruce Brice's street murals in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans help him earn the first-ever artist's commission for the official poster of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Learn more »
Butler, David: Well known in for his audaciously decorated home and lawn, David Butler fashioned whimsical, brightly painted assemblages from salvaged roofing tin to become one of the twentieth century's most widely collected self-taught artists. Learn more »

Cajun Dance Halls: Cajun dance halls—salles de danse—are live music venues where dancing, courtship, and community building transpire. Learn more »
Cajun Folklife: Cajun folklife is a field of study that describes, catalogs, and deciphers meaning within the vernacular culture of Acadian refugees who settled in Louisiana. Learn more »
Crawfish Boils: Crawfish boils are a springtime ritual in Louisiana. Learn more »

Evangeline Legend: The legend of a displaced Acadian couple, Evangeline has played an important role in Louisiana history and culture despite its fictional nature. Learn more »

Fontenot, Canray: Canray Fontenot was a legendary Creole fiddle player from southwestern Louisiana. Learn more »

Jazz Funerals and Second Line Parades: New Orleans Jazz Funerals are public burial services for prominent community members; traditionally African American males. After the funeral service, a procession of musicians, funeral directors, family, and friends moves from the site of the funeral to the cemetery while marching to the beat of a brass band. Learn more »

Manuel, Georgie and Allen: Allen and Georgie Manuel are a husband-wife team who make traditional costumes of the Cajun courir du Mardi Gras, the celebration of Carnival season in rural South Louisiana. Learn more »
Mardi Gras Indians: Mardi Gras Indians have become recognizable symbols of New Orleans's unique local culture, yet remain closely tied to their specific communities and traditions. Learn more »

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Founded in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, known as Jazz Fest, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to experience the music, cuisine, and cultural heritage of Louisiana. Learn more »

Reeves, Darryl: Darryl Reeves is a master blacksmith who hand-forges decorative and functional ironwork for many of New Orleans' historic homes and public buildings. Learn more »
Robertson, Royal “Prophet”: Self-taught artist “Prophet” Royal Robertson combined futuristic imagery with patches of rambling calligraphy that bemoaned his wife's departure after nearly two decades of marriage, an overwhelming obsession in his life and art. Learn more »

Savoy, Marc: Marc Savoy is a Cajun folklorist, musician, and master accordion maker in Eunice. Learn more »
Singleton, Herbert: Self-taught artist Herbert Singleton created dramatic scenes of the rough New Orleans environment into which he was born, using found objects such as salvaged doors, driftwood, and discarded furniture. Learn more »

Thomas, Ada: Ada Thomas is a traditional artisan of Chitimacha basketry. Learn more »
Tootie Montana: Allison “Tootie” Montana was Big Chief of the Yellow Pocahontas Mardi Gras Indian tribe. Learn more »

Voudou: Voodoo, a synthesis of African religious and magical beliefs with Roman Catholicism, emerged in New Orleans in the 1700s and survives in active congregations today. Learn more »

Ryan Brasseaux