La Guillanee: Ancient French Traditions in Music and Food
Who would have imagined that a tradition begun centuries ago, one now extinct in Western France, would remain alive in "The Illinois Country" of Illinois and Missouri? The Guillanee, a Celtic, pre-Christian tradition of sharing food and bounty amongst the entire community during winter, began in Europe as a gesture of charity over two thousand years ago. In France, it also brought the community together to celebrate the New Year to express joy for life. This presentation will explore the European and Canadian roots of this southern Illinois tradition of food and music.
Dennis Stroughmatt, born and raised in southeastern Illinois, is an authority on French Creole music and the culture of "Upper Louisiana," a.k.a Illinois and Missouri. First introduced to local French history as a teenager in Indiana, Dennis later moved to southeast Missouri and spent over three years studying and learning to speak Illinois French Creole, to play the fiddle, and to sing many of the traditional songs that have permeated the region for over three hundred years. He would also go on to live, work, and play music in the "Cajun country" of Louisiana and study in Quebec, thus completing the circle of French culture in North America.
Watch video of Dennis Stroughmatt performing "The Boyer Stomp."
