Isleños
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Islenos (from the Spanish isleños, plural of "islander") are descendants of Canary Islanders who came to America and settled in the lower Mississippi River Delta of Louisiana between 1778 and 1783. The geographical isolation helped to preserve the language and traditions of this minority. Some Islenos still speak Spanish (with a Canary Islander accent). In many parts of Latin America, the term "isleño" is also used to distinguish a Canary Islander from a "gallego", literally a Galician, though used as a nickname to identify an immigrant from mainland Spain. During the 18th, 19th and early part of the 20th century, large waves of Canary Islanders emigrated to Cuba and Puerto Rico.
[edit] Communities of the Isleños
The majority of the Isleno population were long concentrated in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, where some of the most traditional Isleno customs continued. Other Islenos have settled throughout Southeast Louisiana and the Greater New Orleans area. Many were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Traditional Isleno communities include:
- Delacroix Island, Louisiana
- Wood Lake
- Reggio
- Yscloskey, Louisiana
- Shell Beach
- Hopedale
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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