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Madagascar and French food influence (Post #13)

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Madagascar and French food influence (Post #13)

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With French colonial rule beginning in 1896 in Madagascar, well-embraced French baguettes, pastries and desserts and cold macaroni salad mixed with blanched vegetables came with them. French also became Madagascar's official language. The first Europeans to land in Madagascar were Portuguese explorers in 1500. News of their discovery resulted in several attempts by the French and British to establish settlements. These proved unsuccessful due to disease and local hostility. Madagascar didn’t achieve independence until 1960 from France. The people of Madagascar eat large amounts of rice, and are paired with meats, vegetables, and sauce. These dishes tend to have a French influence and fries are often substituted for rice. Food has always been cooked using simple methods and techniques, such as roasting over a fire, grilling over hot stones or coals and boiling, first in containers made of green bamboo, then in clay pots and metal items. Food preservation techniques included smoking, sun-drying and salting. Smoked dried beef, salted dried fish and many other foods are still prepared in a similar manner today. The process of fermentation was adopted early in the history of Malagasy cuisine to produce curds from milk, to amplify the flavors of particular fresh and dried tubers and to make alcoholic drinks. Sweet treats include peanuts or coconuts covered in a coconut or sweet toffee coating.

http://diplomatonline.com/mag/2017/04/exploring-the-cuisine-of-madagascar/

https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/madagascar/food-and-drink/

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Romandy is a French-speaking part of western Switzerland. About 1.9 million people, or 24.4% of the Swiss population, live in Romandy. It has its own culture and customs, well different from the German speaking part of Switzerland. The bulk of the romand population lives in the Arc Lémanique region along Lake Geneva, connecting Geneva, Vaud and the Lower Valais. A neat fact is that the Swiss watchmaking industry was started when French protestant artisans fled France to Geneva, and became an important center of protestantism thanks to Jean Calvin. The adjective romand (fm. romande) is a regional dialect stemming from roman; in Old French it was used as a term for the Gallo-Romance vernaculars. French-speaking Switzerland is known as Welschland or Welschschweiz, and the French-speaking Swiss as Welsche. Romandy is not an official territorial division of Switzerland any more and there is a clear linguistic boundary; substantial parts of the canton of Fribourg and the western canton of Bern are traditionally bilingual. French is the primary language in Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, and Jura. Today, the differences between Swiss French and Parisian French are minor. Even the Romandy flag is based on the French Tricolour. It is blue, white, and red with three white stars vertically on the blue field. There are two inverted colors on the blue-white border and one blue star on the white center stripe. There is also a small Swiss cross on the red field.

https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Western_Switzerland

https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ch-rom.html

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Haiti and Its French Relation (Post #11)

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Haiti and Its French Relation (Post #11)

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Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 meters. The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 miles), and its capital is Port-au-Prince. Haitian Creole and French are the official languages. It was the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean, the first black-led republic in the world, and the second republic in the Americas when it gained independence in 1804 as part of a successful slave revolution lasting nearly a decade. In 2012, Haiti announced its intention to seek associate membership status in the African Union. Haiti is the most predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas. It is one of only two independent nations in Latin America to designate French as an official language; the other French-speaking areas are all overseas or departments of France. Children do most of their schooling in French. The percentage of people who speak French fluently is about 5%, and 100% speak Creole.

https://www.definitions.net/definition/Haiti

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The magnolia blossom is the state flower of Louisiana which was established in 1900. The southern magnolia is a medium size hardwood tree that grows in the southeast USA. The large, fragrant white flower and evergreen leaves make the magnolia tree popular around the world. Residents have added Magnolia to their streets, schools and places of interest throughout their state. In Louisiana, Magnolias begin to form flower buds in late March and early April. By mid April, the flowers are in full bloom.The Magnolia bloom is relatively short lived. By autumn, its petals have dried up and fallen off. In its place forms an attractive red seed pod that is enjoyed by squirrels, rabbits, ect. Magnolia's trees have a history that precedes their selection as the Louisiana state flower. Fossilized specimens of flowers from the Magnolia family date back 95 million years. The bark from one species of Magnolia has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since 1083 to fight dementia, heart disease and cancer. President Andrew Jackson gave the tree recognition during his tenure in office when he transplanted a Magnolia tree from his home state of Tennessee to the grounds of the White House in memory of his wife, Rachel.

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/louisiana/state-flower/magnolia

https://www.proflowers.com/blog/louisiana-state-flower-the-magnolia

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In Senegal, parents often arrange marriages for their children. A young man may want a young woman, but his father decides whether she is suitable. A person is often is appointed to investigate the woman's family background. If the father finds the family satisfactory, he sends the go-between to deliver kola nuts to the woman's parents. The parents accept the kola nuts if they approve of the young man. Along with kola nuts, money is given. Gifts such as a sewing machine, jewelry, and fashionable clothes are required from the groom. A civil marriage then takes place at city hall or the family court. The bride then moves to the groom's house with a big ceremony in which relatives and friends participate. In rural areas, young women sing songs to entertain. Usually many days of festivities follow.
The most distinctive pattern of Senegalese marriage is polygamy. A man may have as many wives as he wishes, although most polygamous males follow the Islamic rule that limits the number of wives to four. Senegal has the highest polygamy rate—the percentage of polygamous marriages among all married couples—in West Africa: Close to half of the women are married to polygamous husbands. Even for the youngest generations, polygamy rates are about 25 percent, suggesting that about one in four women first marries into a polygamous union. Having more than one wife is authorized under Islamic law, and men often invoke their religious beliefs to explain their practice of polygamy. Polygamous marriage is the expression of men's desire to have a large number of children to help on the farm. Usually all wives live together with their polygamous husband in the same compound, a group of adjacent rooms with a common fence and entry. Typically, the husband spends a certain number of nights with each wife, and the wives rotate cooking and other household chores.

http://family.jrank.org/pages/1482/Senegal-Polygamy.html
https://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Senegal.html

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The flag of Quebec was officially adopted on March 9, 1950.
It's a modern version of the old French-Canadian flag known as the Fleurdelyse (flowers). The white cross on a blue field represents an ancient French military banner, and the four flowers are symbolic of France. France controlled vast areas of North America during colonial times. Since at least the 12th century, flowers were displayed with a religious connotation, in the area now known as France. The background of the French royal arms was blue, and many French flags utilized blue and white, especially before the late 16th century. An old flag found in Montreal in the mid-19th century was awarded to the victorious French Canadian troops at the Battle of Carillon in 1758. A modified version of that design later became the French Canadian flag. Its background was blue, and a  fleurdelyse (flower) appeared in each corner, between the arms of a white cross, pointed toward the Sacred Heart Of Jesus that formed the centerpiece of the flag. In 1946, the provincial legislature sanctioned the concept of a distinctive Quebec flag, and Premier Maurice Duplessis issued an order in council that approved the flag now in use. There is no official attribution of symbolism to the colors or design elements, but it is understood that they evoke the historical origins of the province and its status as a francophone nation in the New World.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Quebec

https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/namerica/canada/quebec.htm

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Mussels with Fries are popular in Belgium which is most commonly served with wine, but fries by themselves is the National dish.  No matter who invented them, the Belgium's are known for perfecting them. They are known to be fried twice to a golden crisp. They are also traditionally served in a white cone with a side of aioli for a garlicky-mayo taste, or andalouse which is a mix of mayo and tomato sauce with paprika. If you're looking for a sea food option then grey shrimp croquettes are a popular. They are a nice, sweet delicacy. When you break through the crisp outer part, the creamy shrimp mixture should be oozing. Of course, If you want a sweet dessert, a Belgium waffle is the go- to around town. There are two types: the Brussles waffle, and the denser Liège waffle. The Brussles waffle is flaky and rectangular topped with whip cream, chocolate, or icecream. The denser Liege waffle has rounded edges and crystallized sugar baked into it, making it slightly sticky and sweeter than the Brussels waffle. I would travel to Belgium just to have a waffle! Hopefully one day I will make it there.

https://wonderfulwanderings.com/belgian-food-brussels/

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Morocco is more of of a Muslim based country, so many wonder if they celebrate Christmas at all.  People from outside of Morocco celebrate their own traditions, and may attend a church service in a big city near by. Many big hotels put on special dinners in honor of Christmas since Morocco's tends to be a popular Christmas and New Years spot for travelers around the world. Many people don't understand the difference between Christmas in New Years in Morocco. They often put up inflatable Santa's days before New Years. Holidays are celebrated bases on the Lunar calendar. Each celebration move about 12 days earlier than the year prior. While some have the attitude of acceptance toward the Christian holiday, Some seem it unnecessary. They see it as a adopting a culture that doesn't follow their Islamic lifestyle. In response to conservative Muslims, some Moroccans like the aspect Christmas brings and the seminal feature of Christmas. At Christmas, Americans and British people express their love to their soul-mates.

http://whereweroam.com/twelve-countries-in-twelve-months/morocco/christmas-in-morocco

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/12/71734/do-moroccans-celebrate-christmas/

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Many people ask me what my favorite musical is of all time since it's a big part of my life and with out question Les Misérables ranks number one. It was originally a book that was published in 1862 by Victor Hugo. It was first written in French then it was translated to English, and in just a short time became known as one of the greatest novels ever written. The main character's name is Jean Valjean, and he is held in prison for many years for stealing a piece of bread. He then is placed on Parole and leaves to find a small village near by. No one will hire him because of his criminal background, so he ends up begging for food and shelter. A priest takes him in and shows mercy on him even when Jean Valjean turns back to his ways and tries to steal from him. The priest's act of kindness makes him realize the goodness in the world encouraging him to change. Fast forward many years later, Jean Valjean is now the Mayor of a village named Montreuil-sur-mer. One day he sees a women named Fantine who is gravely ill. She wants Jean Valjean to take care of her little girl once she passes. He agrees and goes to find where she is currently living with two inn keepers who have agreed to feed and take care of her while her mother is away at work. Unwillingly, the greedy inn keepers give her to Jean Valjean. Now, Cosette, the little girl, is in her later teens and meets a boy named Marius. Marius has a childhood friend named Eponine who is madly in love with him. The second Cosette and Marius meet they fall in love causing great jealousy between Eponine and Cosette. During this time period, the French Revolution is taking place and Marius is called to serve. He becomes injured and Jean Valjean finds him and finds help. Marius, being unconscious, doesn't know who found him to get him help. Marius marries Cosette, and they are very happiness together. Little do they know Jean Valjean, in his old age, as become very ill. He doesn't want to worry Cosette or ruin her time of happiness, so he writes her a note revealing of his criminal past and telling who really saved Marius on the day he was injured. He then passes away and Cosette receives the letter finally finding out the truth. There is so much more that this story encompasses with it being close to 2,000 pages long.

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This movie is directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and it involves a woman, Amelie, who decides to change the world by changing the lives of the people she knows. Amelie is a young woman who had an unusual childhood who was misdiagnosed with a rare heart condition. Amelie didn't attend school with other children but spent most of her time in her room, where she developed an open imagination and an active fantasy life. Her mother, Amandine, died in an accident when Amelie was eight, and her father, Raphael, had little contact with her since his presence seemed to bother her heart condition. Despite all this, Amelie grows into a healthy young woman who works in a cafe and has a very romantic way about her. Amelie is deeply affected by Princess Diana's death when she dies in a car wreck the summer of 1997. She is reminded that life is short and decides it's time for her to intervene in the lives of those around her. Amelie starts by bringing together two lonely people -- Georgette and Joseph. When Amelie finds a box of old toys in her apartment, she returns them to their former owner, Mr. Bretodeau, allowing him to reflect on his childhood. Amelie befriends Dufayel, a elderly artist, living nearby whose bones are so brittle everything in his flat must be padded for his protection. Amelie then decides someone has to step into the life of Nino: a lonely adult video store clerk and part-time carnival spook-show ghost who collects pictures left behind at photo booths around Paris. This film received excellent reviews before its French premiere in the spring of 2001 and was well liked at a special screening at that year's Cannes Film Festival.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/amelie/

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Édith Piaf is one of France's most celebrated singers. She is still revered as an icon to this day. She wasn't known for her technique or the purity of her voice, but the raw, passionate power of her singing. Her style was regarded as highly emotional with a full, rapid vibrato that could make you feel every lyric.  She preferred mournful material, singing about heartache, tragedy, poverty, and the harsh reality of life on the streets; much of it was based on her real-life experiences, written specifically for her by a variety of songwriters. Her life was legendary, starting with her dramatic rise from uneducated Paris street, Urchin, to an international star. Along the way, she lost her only child at age three, fell victim to substance abuse, survived three car accidents, and took a parade of lovers, one of whom perished in a plane crash on his way to visit her. By the time cancer claimed her life at age 47, Piaf had recorded a lengthy string of genre-defining classics -- "Mon Légionnaire," "La Vie en Rose," and many more. Among them, her fans felt that she captured the essence of the French soul.

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/%C3dith-piaf-mn0000150629/biography

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French Architecture began when Gaul was under the Roman Empire. Some of the notable Galo-Roman designs in France have been preserved, such as Maison Carree and Amphitheatre in Nimes. You can find the remains of some interesting pieces of old infrastructure across France, such as the aqueduct Pont du Gard in Nimes and Barbegal mill. This lead to the use of more concrete, and the utilization of arches and vaults. From the mid-12th century until 1500, French Gothic architecture was widely known in Europe. Even today, it's one of the most typical French architectural styles with a unique character. High Gothic style followed, aspiring to achieve greater building heights, but with a goal to make the structure lighter. The two other styles, Rayonnant and Flamboyant, are both derived from High Gothic architecture, but builders were more concerned with the two-dimensional, decorative aspects than the structural elements. The Rayonnant period leads to innovations related to glass and window glazing, which affected the change in window design. Though many beautiful churches were built during this time, my favorite is the Reims Cathedral in Reims, France. The complexity of the building and the unique window structure is breathtaking, and I hope to see it in person one day.

https://www.widewalls.ch/french-architecture/

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Among many amazing dishes in France, boeuf bourguignon is considered a classic. The ingredients include a stew made of beef seared then left to cook in red wine, beef broth and seasoned with garlic, onions and mushrooms. Another classic dish is called coq au vin which is made with chicken, burgundy wine, small strips or cubes of pork fat, button mushrooms, and onions. When I think of French foods, I first think of French onion soup. It’s my dad’s favorite soup. It consists of meat stock, onions, and cheese with often a large piece of bread in the center (I like mine with croutons).  Even though one of the most popular foods to eat in America are French fries, the French had very little to do with the food at all. It was supposedly created in Spain or Belgium. Thomas Jefferson discovered them while he was visiting France as a Minister. He later told others about the idea in the states. Overall, the French are known for cooking with heavy sauces and often complicated preparation.

https://www.livescience.com/39149-french-culture.html