Franco-American Identity Community and La Guiannee

The first book to explore the little known but resilient French tradition within the MidwestFrench traditions in America do not live solely in Louisiana. Franco-American Identity Community and La Guiannée travels to Ste. Genevieve Missouri and Prairie du Rocher Illinois to mark the Franco-American traditions still practiced in both these Midwestern towns. This Franco-American cultural identity has continued for over 250 years surviving language loss extreme sociopolitical pressures and the American Midwest's demands for conformity. Ethnic identity presents itself in many forms including festivals and traditional celebrations which take on an even more profound and visible role when language loss occurs.On New Year's Eve the guionneurs revelers who participate in the celebration disguise themselves in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century costume and travel throughout their town singing and wishing New Year's greetings to other members of the community. This celebration like such others as Cajun Mardi Gras in Louisiana Mumming in Ireland and Newfoundland as well as the Carnaval de Binche belongs to a category of begging quest festivals that have endured since the Medieval Age. These festivals may have also adapted or evolved from pre-Christian pagan rituals.