Crawfish Boil

Lisa Rogillio English 2000 Section 39

Louisiana is a state with a colorful heritage. As the weather warms up, people are anxious to move outside and enjoy the company of family and friends. In Louisiana, food is always an integral part of any gathering and crawfish is a favorite food from early spring until the end of summer. Crawfish season initiates many spring festivals. Louisianans appreciate joyous gatherings for almost any purpose, but nothing says Louisiana like a crawfish boil.
Crawfish boils are about more than just eating. They are a gathering of friends, family, neighbors and community. A crawfish boil is an all day party that includes cleaning, boiling and eating the crawfish. Beer is the drink of choice at most crawfish boils. This may contribute to the merriment of those who partake. This photograph brings back childhood memories of playing with live crawfish, before they were purged in salt water. I remember the explanation of why they were purged and wrinkling my nose in disgust. Horse shoe challenges and badminton tournaments entertained guests while eating in shifts as each batch of hot boiled crawfish is brought to the table.
Louisiana is known for its southern hospitality. The photograph could be family, friends or total strangers eating crawfish at a communal table at a spring festival. Five young people and a gray haired gentleman seem to be enjoying the crawfish and beer together. Many family units include more than one generation which helps to maintain strong family values.
The photograph shows people wearing colorful Mardi Gras beads. Louisiana is known for the many Mardi Gras celebrations which precede the religious season of Lent. Strong family values are deeply rooted in religion. This contributes to the fact that religion plays a major role in all aspects of life in Louisiana, from public schools not serving meat on Fridays to governmental offices being closed in honor of Easter and Christmas.

Although the photograph does not show a band playing music, I can hear it. Louisiana is known for its wonderful music, from Jazz to Zydeco. No festival or gathering would be complete without it. I see in this picture a festival complete with food, drink, friends and music. I can almost see the toes tapping under the table.
The wonderful music is seconded only by the taste and smells at a Louisiana crawfish boil. I can smell the crawfish seasonings used to boil crawfish. The people are pictured peeling crawfish and it makes my mouth water. I am also reminded of the smells that linger after a crawfish boil.
The sights and sounds at a crawfish boil define a fun-loving, colorful Louisiana. This is why I chose a photograph of a crawfish boil at a spring festival to portray Louisiana. It is a happy scenario showing people of different ages wearing festive Mardi Gras beads eating crawfish and having fun together. If I had to choose one event to epitomize Louisiana, it would be family and friends gathered around a table sharing boiled crawfish, cold beer and “passing a good time.”