Unique cultures
 

Don't think New Orleans! I have been going to SW Louisiana [100 miles west of NO] for the last few years and have been captured by the Cajun "attitude", [?], their ability to take what is available and turn it into a party, and their strong streak of independence that says "I can survive" [as they have for 300 years]. The people are so open and welcome you into their homes and gatherings, the radio is in "Cajun" French, the food is a bit different, and the rule of the day is "we'll work it out tomorrow".

What are the other enclaves in America where unique cultures, heritages, traditions still reign? I am sure there are areas where Polish, Mexican, Uzbekistanian, or other strong heritages still "rule the day" and make the locale special. [Come to my home in SC and I will introduce you to the Gullah culture].

Where in the US are those places that we can get a feel for the old country" [we all have one] adapted to life here, today? Where are people who have not caved?

Not in the US, but I think Winnipeg has more Icelanders than Reykjavik and Manitoba/Saskatchewan has more than all of Iceland. At one point the Poet Laureate of Iceland lived in one of the Prairie Provinces.

Most northern cities have interesting ethnic enclaves. Watertown, MA (suburban Boston) is filled with Armenians, and there are lots of Albanians in Worcester, French Canadians all over Rhode Island, etc.

Dear weber:

Where I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of CA, there were many Portuguese from the Azores, Italians from Basilicata and Basques. There are Portuguese festas all summer up and down the valley. The Italian-Americans have some religious celebrations and picnics. The Basques in CA, NV & ID have their picnics from spring into the summer. But the further the generations get from the old country, the less common these gatherings get.

MY

That does it, MichelleY - I *must* get to a Basque restaurant the next time I'm in Fresno. :-)

Many of the Native American pueblos in New Mexico fit your description, Weber6560.

Lee Ann

Dear Lee Ann:

One of the best Basque restaurants is in Los Banos: The Woolgrowers. Everything is still pretty authentic. Los Banos also has a pretty popular Basque Picnic in May. I went this year, after not going since 1985. Better than ever.


I you ever make it over, I will meet you and have a Fodorite GTG!!!

MY

I live near Buffalo, NY, and South Buffalo is home to a large Irish population. Granted, most are third generation at this point, but the people are fiercely proud of their Irish heritage. South Buffalo (home of Tim Russert) is a Catholic blue collar town that loves their Friday fish fry! The street signs are in English and Gaelic, there are several Irish pubs, and Irish dancing is hugely popular with several schools grooming little girls for competition. Every year, there is an Irish festival as well.

Appalachia! I know, the stereotype is ignorant rednecks with no shoes (thanks a lot, Beverly Hillbillies) but the Appalachian region has a deep, distinct and unique culture, albeit one that can be harder to spot since it's not an "old country" type of place. But going to a festival, like Floydfest or the Galax Fiddler's Convention, would give you bluegrass, flatfooting, and other cultural experiences.

I think on most reservations, especially in the Western states, you'll find people have "not caved." Mexican culture thrives in the Southwest, and not just from recent arrivals. I don't think you have to step far into San Francisco or New York's Chinatowns to see unchanged tradition, and likewise certain Italian immigrant neighborhoods in Boston and New York City (like Arthur Avenue).

Then there are the traditional communes of the Amish, and although much of it is new settlement, rather than old, the tradition bound orthodox Jewish communities of the greater New York area.

Assimilation is vexed concept with a vexed history in America. Some traditional subcultures are celebrated and even become tourist attractions. Others have been violently persecuted or strongly pressured into conforming. I've never been able discern why some are viewed favorably while others are not, although I think it helped the Cajuns that they stuck to a piece of land nobody else (thus far!) wanted to develop.