Gumbo YA-YA: Folk Tales of Louisiana

by Lyle Saxon and Edward Saxon, Lyle; Tallant, Robert; & Dreyer

Book Overview

Long considered the finest collection of Louisiana folk tales and customs, Gumbo Ya-Ya chronicles the stories and legends that have emerged from the bayou country. Originally written as part of the WPA's Louisiana Writers' Project, it has endured as a classic of its genre and is again available in a beautiful Pelican edition.

Meet the Krewe of Zulu, New Orleans' most colorful all-black Carnival club, and the many tribes of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882896458
• ISBN13: 9780882896458
• Release Date: May 1987
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 581 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Gumbo YaYa-a nice little book

I read this book first years ago. Fascinating Book. However, when reading the first chapter about the Black Mardi Gras one must understand that this was written many, many years ago and no longer reflects the Black Louisianian. As for the rest of the book: Most enjoyable! If you have any interest in Louisiana folklore, you'll cherish it. I do. It's why I ordered another when mine went missing.

Gumbo Ya-Ya is excellent!

Gumbo Ya-Ya is an excellent read. Learn more about the Cajun and Creole cultures by reading the stories contained within this treasure. An excellent reference to hand down to your children.

Very Enjoyable

If you enjoy reading about Louisiana history- this book is great. The stories lead you through a Louisiana that you might never know if you didn't read this book.

The essential history of Southeastern Louisiana....

When I was a child, a trip to the local library always meant a romp through the "Local Interest" section. I have always been enamored of the area that I grew up in. From hearing the stories of "loup garous" (werewolves) in the swamp to the tales of Jean Lafitte's pirate bands running amok in the swamps from my grandparents and great-grandparents, I came to appreciate the rich and diverse cultural history of the area. Gumbo Ya-Ya was always the book that fascinated me the most. The copy in our local Carnegie library was a first printing, replete with photos and art enough that you could simply look at the pictures and appreciate it (which is actually what I did the first few times). Once I started reading, however, the stories that unfolded before me only made my fascination and appreciation go thru the roof. To be able to walk the streets of New Orleans with my many friends not from the area and enlighten them on the various landmarks and stories is a delight in itself. Although I now reside in Mobile, Al, a trip to the city of my birth always brings a childish gleem to my eye. I love nothing more than to pass on the historical facts and fictions (or are they?) of what I consider to be the most unique city in the US (and I've been to MANY). Even if you've never been to New Orleans, this book makes for entertaining and fascinating reading.