While there exists a constant stream of new par-takers
on this site.... New entrants may crave understanding the culture and the music. For a good read....

An interesting site that covers a wide array of matters of the Louisiana French (and beyond) is that of the Evangeline Web Site. Wonder where the music is heading? Oddly it was a question many have had for many many years... Somewhere, Anywhere... but, I don't think it is headed Nowhere (it will survive sweeping changes).... IMO

http://www.espacefrancophone.org/evangeline/english/toc.html

Among some of the musical history items and other topics, one that subject I found interesting is; Traiteurs (mysterous medicine).



Enjoy

Above is another good link loaded with neat stuff for those interested in the culture.

The traiteur tradition is not completely gone, though it is almost. I remember going to some with my mother when I was little. I remember them used mostly for simple things like warts, but there were some for almost anything and were probably very popular when doctors were rare. They usually specialized in a certain maladie, and it was something handed down, you couldnt ask to be one. My grandfather was a traiteur for bleeding, though dad tells me he didnt like being one.

Now this kind of thing seems kind of out there, but to them, it seemed to work, and that was enough for them. What I have been curious about is if it was unique to Cajun culture, which I doubt just because of the nature of the blending of so many cultures to create what became known as Cajun. Does anyone else know of this type of thing anywhere else?

Phil Underwood, who fronts the UK zydeco band Zigazag, and is a terrific C/Z accordion player, was telling me one time that he is a 'healer'. Normally, I'd file this along with cranky stuff, but Phil is a pretty straight shooter and a really nice guy. We were actually talking about the differences between Cajun and French French. He said that, although he is perfectly understood in Louisiana, when he says he is a traiteur, in France they think he is a certain kind of butcher. Babelfish translates it as Delicatesen.

BJ

Hmm. That surprised me, when I looked in my Larousse dictionary it said "traiter" is a "treater", and a "traiteur" is a caterer. I dont know enough French to know the difference in forms. Christian, Maz, Harlan.. vous atre peut m'arranger?

We call them "guérisseurs" (in France), or "magnétiseurs" sometimes.

Salut John.

Christian

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Replying to:

Hmm. That surprised me, when I looked in my Larousse dictionary it said "traiter" is a "treater", and a "traiteur" is a caterer. I dont know enough French to know the difference in forms. Christian, Maz, Harlan.. vous atre peut m'arranger?