Social Studies

1. Explain how the forced migration of enslaved people from Africa led to cultural difusion and

increased diversity in Louisiana.

When the people, who belong to different ethnicity and culture are introduced, willingly or not, into the new territory, they bring their culture and religion with themselves. During the assimilation process, they adopt features of the hegemonic culture, while incorporating elements of their native culture.

In Louisiana, enslaved people came largely from French colonies, in particular from Senegal, Bay of Benin and Congo region, and were ruled by the French law Code Noir. They had greater freedoms than slaves in other American colonies, which led to stronger development of the culture and diversity.

For example, enslaved people were governed in the Catholic faith by there owners, because according to the Code Noir they were beings with a soul. At the same, time they bore African-based spiritual folkways, such as Voodoo, which led to prominent and rich cultural diffusion.