2023 Valley Talks #5: Visualizing Franco-American Culture
The fifth and final installment of the 2023 season of Valley Talks, sponsored by the Museum of Work in Culture of the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS), was held via Zoom on Sunday, March 5 at 1:30 p.m. Writer Melody Desjardins, who runs the blog Moderne Franco: All about the Franco-American Experience, presented “Visualizing Franco-American Culture Through French-Canadian Folklore”, describing the music, dance, folktales, and costumes of French culture in North America from the 16th century to the present day.
Desjardins began her talk with a definition of folklore. She explained that “folk” referred to country people from an idealized, agrarian past where humans were more connected to nature, while “lore” are stories intended to be passed along to future generations. Desjardins also spoke about “visual culture”, the concept that part of what makes a heritage unique are the elements seen by those both within and outside of the group. Visual heritage includes clothing, holidays, folktales, and music. Desjardins lamented the loss of heritage for many Americans who have not remembered their cultural origins.
Many European ethnic groups have a long history of cultural traditions and differences, which have been absorbed by mainstream American culture. Desjardins gave Oktoberfest as an example, as the holiday originated in Germany and Austria but is now enjoyed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. She argued that Franco-Americans should celebrate and promote their own cultural holidays, including La Fête Des Rois, literally “The Feast of Kings” or Three Kings Day, a celebration on January 6 recognized by Catholic countries around the world; Le Réveillon, literally “The Awakening” or New Year on December 31 through January 1, which includes a Midnight Mass and a hearty meal of tourtiére; and Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste, literally “Saint John the Baptist Feast” or Midsummer, celebrated on June 24 around the summer solstice.
Desjardins described the differences between folktales told by French-Canadians and other Franco-Americans versus the stories found in Europe. Franco-American folktales emphasize the dangers of winter, the importance of Catholicism in the battle of good against evil, and living in “New France”. Stock characters include everyday French people, le voyageurs or colonial French-Canadian canoe travelers, and le loup-garou or the werewolf. Popular folktales include La Chasse-Galerie about a flying canoe bewitched by the Devil, Rose Latulippe about a girl who dances with the Devil, and Le Loup-Garou about men who turn into wolves as punishment for not observing Lent.
On a less sinister note, Desjardin described the influences on Canadian folk music and dance, with French immigrants coming to Quebec from Normandy, Picard, Anjou, Poitou, and Brittany. Later, immigrants from England, Ireland, and Scotland brought their own varieties of jigs and reels to Canada. Call-and-response songs were popular with le voyageurs, while instruments included accordion, fiddle, cuillére á bois or wooden spoons and podorythmie or seated foot tapping.
Franco-Americans borrowed and shared clothing designs with Indigenous Americans and the Métis beginning in the 16th century. A popular style of belt was la ceinture fléchée or the arrow sash, available in L’Assomption, Charlevoix, and Acadienne styles. The belt tied up a long coat, called a capote by the French and a molleton by the English, sometimes made from a Hudson’s Bay Company multistripe point blanket with its distinct green, red, yellow, and blue stripes. Finishing up the cosy winter outfit was a red milled worsted cap or tuque. This outfit remained popular until the late 19th century, especially with outdoor recreation clubs where members gathered for tobogganing and snowshoeing. Modern winter carnivals and voyageur festivals allow French-Canadians to wear this style of clothing, while folk dance groups like Les Mutins de Longueuil and Ensemble Folklorique Mackinaw perform in traditional costume. The government of Quebec sponsored a cultural revival allowing organizations like Centre Marius Barbeau and researchers like Madeleine Doyon to create authentic replicas of historical clothing. Desjardin enjoys creating modern interpretation of these outfits using modern clothing with similar patterns, colors, and materials.
This talk struck a balance between introducing those unfamiliar with Franco-American folklore to its stories, music, and clothing, while allowing Franco-Americans well aware of their own history to enjoy new ideas, videos, and images. I had no difficulty reading Desjardin’s beautiful slides and appreciated her efforts in finding the perfect photographs and prints to illustrate her points. RIHS Valley Talks ended this year on a high note.