Bayou Harvest: Subsistence Practice in Coastal Louisiana

Food is more than just nourishment to the people of Louisiana's Gulf Coast region; it is a way to raise children, bond with friends, and build community. Shana Walton and Helen A. Regis' book Bayou Harvest explores how coastal residents deploy self-reliance and care for each other through harvesting and sharing food, offering a multifaceted view of subsistence in Louisiana. The book also delves into the residents' worries about the future, particularly storms, pollution, and land loss.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Food holds a profound significance for the inhabitants of the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana, transcending its role as mere nourishment. The acts of gathering, preparing, and sharing food serve as vital means to nurture children, forge bonds with friends, and strengthen the fabric of community. In their insightful book titled Bayou Harvest: Subsistence Practice in Coastal Louisiana, Shana Walton and Helen A. Regis delve into the intricate tapestry of how coastal residents harness self-reliance and demonstrate care for one another through the harvesting and sharing of food. Drawing from four years of extensive fieldwork and meticulous study, Walton and Regis explore the diverse practices of harvesting, hunting, and foraging observed among Native Americans, Cajuns, and other residents of the Bayou region. This engagement with Indigenous thinkers and their neighbors offers a multi-faceted perspective on subsistence in Louisiana, shedding light on the deep love and connection coastal residents have with their land and water, as well as their strong identification with their food and game heritage.

The book delves into the concerns of coastal residents, particularly regarding the future, encompassing the threats posed by storms, pollution, and the ongoing loss of land in the coastal region. Through a series of narratives that vividly document the everyday food practices of these communities, the authors conclude that subsistence extends far beyond the mere execution of specific tasks such as peeling shrimp or harvesting sassafras. Rather, it encompasses the profound meaning and significance these activities hold for the people of the coast.

Bayou Harvest is a captivating work that weaves together immersive writing to convey the essence of a way of life that is vibrant, deeply rooted in historical traditions, and yet profoundly threatened by the shrinking coast. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human existence and the natural environment, urging us to cherish and protect the resources that sustain us. By exploring the intricacies of subsistence practice in Coastal Louisiana, Walton and Regis invite readers to contemplate the intricate connections between food, culture, and the environment, and to recognize the importance of preserving this unique way of life for generations to come.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 229 x 151 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496849076