7 News Belize

Creole and Cajun, Just Like Belize
posted (May 6, 2016)
Tonight we have the last installment from the New Orleans Feature Series. We have taken you to all the big stages, and shown you the cultural displays beneath the Belize Pavilion Tent, but we have one more element which is the foundation of the entire New Orleans experience: and that's exploring the unique heritage and cultures in New Orleans. Here is that final story.

Valerie Gulliet, Cultural Exchange Pavilion Coordinator
"This is the largest event in New Orleans after Mardi Gras, after carnival, so it really presents the culture of New Orleans and Louisiana to the world."

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
A large part of that culture is Louisiana Cajun music. All that south western Louisiana flavor was found on the Fai Do DO stage.

Now it might just sound like a regular country western song but that is just one example of the musical diversity in New Orleans.

Valerie Gulliet, Cultural Exchange Pavilion Coordinator
"Something very unique to New Orleans is the Brass bands that come from the streets, very strong rhythm, definitely influenced by Africa and the Mardi Gras Indians, those are unique to New Orleans."

The Mardi Gras Indians paraded in their colorful and extravagant disguises - all around the Jazz Festival grounds - celebrating that deep American Indian connection.

Norma Dixon Jr., Parade Coordinator
"That is just celebrating the Indian history, the Indians that lived here In New Orleans way back when, they still trying to keep the tradition showing how they were dressed and nice outfits."

And the music, the colors and all these traditions are as a result of the diverse blend of cultures.

Valerie Gulliet, Cultural Exchange Pavilion Coordinator
"New Orleans is in the United States, but it's really part of the Caribbean world, historically they were a lot of exchanges with the Caribbean and Central America and you see the same blend of cultures here, the Europeans, the Africans, the indigenous culture which you find in Belize as well."

Gray Hawk Perkins, Native American Consultant
"There is a Native American, African, French, Spanish and also later on from Haiti. A lot of Haitian culture here in new Orleans."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Apart from the music, food is another major part of the creole culture here in New Orleans. What I have in my hand is a softshell crab po-boy and it's one of the many seafood delicacies offered here at the Jazz festival."

Food booths lined the grounds as festival goers snatched up the southern and creole dishes: Greens and Crab, Jambalaya, Chicken and rice among so many other choices.

But one of the favorites is the soft shell crab po-boy. The young crabs are carefully picked, seasoned and sizzled to perfection and placed whole in delicious French bread - ready to serve.

Courtney Weatherburne
"What did you eat just now? What did you devour?"

David Jones, Maryland
"Soft shell crab po-boy and it not have been better."

Courtney Weatherburne
"What is so delicious about it?"

Roberto Angarita, New Orleans
"Well it's fried and so everything gets cook and it's a soft-like crustacean."

People from all over just to try this special crab sandwich in New Orleans

Nicholas Summerford, North Carolina
"Food is ultimately what we look forward to, aside from a couple different artists, food is our main driver. New Orleans has the best food in the entire United States. You go to New York, you can get a good French meal, a good Italian meal. You can go to San Francisco, you can get some good sushi. New Orleans, this is home to creole and Cajun cuisine. It's the only uniquely American cuisine. All this cuisine was invested for the first time right here in the swamps of Louisiana."

New Orleans or the "Big Easy" as it is called, is known for its vibrant music, diverse mix of cultures, crazy night life and as you heard, the food - all things that make the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival a singular experience.

The festival ended last weekend when Supa G and Bredda David performed.

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