Like many of the celebrations here at Ste. Genevieve, the La Guignolee was totally new to us. We studied English history in school but never French history in the Americas. We had no idea what to expect but knew it would be a fun night. . .Anything in the New France tradition has proven to make us smile. . .
La Guiannée (or La Guignolée) is celebrated on December 31 (New Year's Eve).
It is a French medieval New Year's Eve tradition that is still practiced in two towns in the United States. The tradition related to poor people being able to ask the more wealthy for food and drink at the celebrations of winter. Customarily a troupe of traveling male singers went from door to door to entertain and ring in the new year. Hosts were expected to give them food and drink. Other sources say the young men were seeking donations for Twelfth Night. Begun as a way for the poor to be given gratuities by the rich, it also became a community social event for young men to visit with the families of young women.
Over time, the practice became an occasion for visiting with relatives and friends and was more or less a traveling feast. At first it was carried on only by young men, often in costume; women joined the party in the 20th century. In many years, the people appeared in disguise, as part of the celebration was a kind of overturning of the common order.
This tradition has been practiced annually since 1722 in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. It has been revived in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Both were former French colonial villages settled by French Canadians in the eighteenth century .(wikipedia)
Our destination for La Guignolee was the historic Bolduc House. Although the singers visited other destinations in town, this was the only historic house on the schedule. . .Sure enough, we were transported back into 18th century New France history. . .
The song they sang and danced to was in French. . .but it didn't matter. . .
We were soon caught up in the rhythm and music. . .
In fact, we could have joined in but we left it to the experts. . .
Yet, we were hooked. . .
It was fun, festive, and a celebration all wrapped up in a French Colonial package. . .
We'll definitely be there again next year. . .Perhaps in costume this time?
We were soon caught up in the rhythm and music. . .
In fact, we could have joined in but we left it to the experts. . .
Yet, we were hooked. . .
It was fun, festive, and a celebration all wrapped up in a French Colonial package. . .
We'll definitely be there again next year. . .Perhaps in costume this time?
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