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Archiver > ACADIAN-CAJUN > 2002-12 > 1040569408


From: "LucieMC" <>
Subject: Re: Christmas traditions - "Le Reveillion" & "Les feux de Joie"
Date: Sun, 22 Dec 2002 10:03:32 -0500
References: <f3.25dcbc14.2b3664c1@aol.com>


Hi Don - thank you for sharing the traditions of our Cajun cousins that we
often do not know enough about! I appreciate it a great deal. Lucie

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 7:43 PM
Subject: Christmas traditions - "Le Reveillion" & "Les feux de Joie"


In a message dated 12/21/02 6:48:11 AM Central Standard Time,
writes:

<< From today until December 25, you may make posts tellings us about
Acadian-Cajun holiday traditions and recipes. >>


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Le Reveillion"

Christmas is usually celebrated with all of the family coming together on
Christmas Eve, and after attending Midnight Mass, everyone gathers for a
meal
called "Le Reveillion".
Reveillion means to wake up or the first call of the day. Many restaurants
in
Louisiana are open all night and serve "Le Reveillion". The meal usually
consists of the local specialty dishes of the region or area. Gumbos,
roast
pork, sausages, baked ham, roast turkey, duck, wines, salads, fruit and
dessert.

At our home the traditional baked turkey with all of the trimmings, and
all
of the holiday desserts are served
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Another tradition is the lighting of Christmas Bonfires, or "Les feux de
Joie" (Fires of Joy)

Building bonfires has been another Christmas tradition in Louisiana for
about
150 years. It is believed that the custom was introduced by Maraist
priests
in Convent, Louisiana who were familiar with the use of fire in seasonal
celebrations in France.
Teams of builders buy a ten-dollar permit from the local parish and then
construct 20-foot pyramids out of willow trees and cane reed. Then, on
Christmas Eve, the bonfires are lit in a fiery spectacle that lines both
sides of the Mississippi River.
Local historians say there are a few explanations of why people originally
began building bonfires on Christmas Eve.
"One of the most common one is that the lighting of the bonfires, light
the
way for Papa Noel (Santa Claus) to the children's homes to bring them
presents. Another is that they light the way for people to go to Midnight
Mass, at the many churches that line the road in front of the levee.
While most bonfires are built in a pyramid or teepee shape, every year
there's a group of people who decide to do things a little differently.
Some
build little log cabins little southern mansion, airplanes, ships and burn
them. Once they built a replica of the Louisiana state capitol and
This area is called bonfire alley and one can just stand on that levee and
see bonfires for miles. It's beautiful."


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