In Louisiana, Santa Claus is called Papa Noel.
That name is Papa Noel, or “Pere Noel,” which means Father Christmas. Author Terri Hoover Dunham knows the tale very well. In 2006, she wrote the children's book, “The Legend of Papa Noel: A Cajun Christmas Story.”
A highlight of the holiday season every year in New Orleans is the bonfires on the levee, built to guide Papa Noël (Santa Claus). Another spectacular yule time site is Candlelight Caroling in Jackson Square.
French: Père Noël / Papa Noël (lit. Father Christmas / Daddy Christmas) In France, it is Père Noël who delivers presents either on the eve of 23rd December, or on the morning of 25th December.
In modern times, revelers have gotten creative, erecting bonfires in the shape of things we know such as Cajun cabins or pickup trucks. When it gets dark on Christmas Eve, the structures are set on fire. Some bonfire organizers provide bowls of gumbo to those who come to watch the spectacle.
They are Tiboy, Suzette, Renée, Ninette, Pierre, Alcée, Celeste, and Gaston.
In Louisiana, Santa Claus is called Papa Noel.
One of Louisiana's favorite Christmas traditions is the Bonfires on the Levee, a niche staple of the River Parishes' culture. The tradition of lighting bonfires on the river levees dates back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans.
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve to "nice" children, and either coal or nothing to "naughty" ...
Jamaicans also believe in Santa Claus and he's called Father Christmas or Kris Kringle. He usually leave gifts for children under the Christmas tree on Christmas eve.
Here in Acadiana, storytellers and writers have given Papa Noël a little Cajun flair. Legend has it that instead of a sleigh with reindeer, Papa Noël visits children on a small boat known as a pirogue that's pulled by a team of alligators.
It is called dirty because game participants steal gifts from each other in the attempt to end up with the best possible gift. Gifts for Dirty Santa are typically something fun, new, unique, and in good taste. Unlike the White Elephant gift exchange, Dirty Santa gifts are usually items the recipients will want and use.
Then, on December 25th, Christmas Day, Santi Clo – that's Santa Claus to those uninitiated in Cuban speak – brings us presents.
Of those countries in Africa and the Middle East that celebrate Christmas, Papá Noel is the most common name for Santa Claus. In South Africa Sinterklaas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus are also used.
In most of the Latin American countries you can get along with Santa Claus, but the pronunciation is Santa Clós or Santa Cló. There are other countries, such as Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, where it is simplified even more using only the name Santa.
The heaviest snowstorm of record in the Shreveport area is 11.0 inches (280 mm) in December of 1929. This fell on the 21st and 22nd, and one-half inch remained on the ground December 25th, making this the only Christmas Day of record with snow on the ground.
Santa Claus is called Père Noël in French or Father Christmas. Small children may also call him Papa Noël or Daddy Christmas.
History of the bonfires
The purpose of Christmas Eve bonfires is to show the Cajun Santa Claus – known locally as Papa Noel – where to fly and land as he soars across southern Louisiana. Historically, bonfires were also set blazing to lead the way to Midnight Mass at local Catholic churches.
A Christmas tradition in New Orleans is to light bonfires along the Mississippi River on River Road. The bonfires are said to light the way for Papa Noel to navigate his way through the swamp and find his way to homes to deliver his presents.
Gumbo, a shrimp or crawfish boil, or red beans and rice always make for a good holiday feast.
So, it is very much a cultural tradition to serve gumbo on Christmas Eve night in Catholic families in south Louisiana. They would never do without this late night meal. I have received a number of requests for a gumbo recipe since moving to Louisiana.