Arthur "Roy" Williams
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Come share in the rich, Creole Culture of Louisiana, cher!
Learn (French Creole) and laugh -- with the humorous, Creole characters “Bouki and Lapin”
“The Creole Folktales of Compaire Bouki and Compaire Lapin” have a rich and fascinating history, hundreds of years old. The tales originated from Senegal, Africa and according to the historical, Louisiana Creole Plantation ‘Laura’, they were first recorded in the United States — in Laura Plantation’s 150-year-old cabins.
Lapin’s adventures (‘Lapin’ means “rabbit” in French) soon went on to become the popular American Tales known as ‘Br’er (Brother) Rabbit’ — only ‘Compaire Bouki and Compaire Lapin’ retain the original, unique French Creole ‘flavor’. (In French folklore, ‘compaire/compair’ means brother.)
In various Louisiana stories Bouki is pictured as a donkey, raccoon or wolf. You’ll get to meet 'Bouki the donkey', in “Bouki’s Honey”. Bouki was a ‘hyena’ in the original African folktales. The name ‘Bouki’ is a ‘wolof ’ word — ‘wolof ’ being both the language and the people of Senegal , Africa – and is said to mean, “stupid hyena”. Some even say ‘Bouki’ is a play on words meaning, “bookish” (something the character never is). It is believed that the Senegal slaves brought to Louisiana, actually told the African-based stories of ‘Bouki and Lapin’ as code, to illustrate victory over the conditions of slavery – with Lapin humorously outwitting plantation owner, ‘Bouki’.
Thus we have 'a bit of history and a lot of humor', with the colorful tales of ‘Lapin’ — the clever, trickster rabbit, and ‘Bouki’, the slow-witted donkey. Today, ‘Compaire Bouki and Compaire Lapin’ continue to be popular, French Creole folktales passed from generation to generation -- and enjoyed by ages one to 101…
*Note: Coming in 2008-
Bouki and Lapin merchandise – t-shirts, coffee mugs and more
at BoukiandLapin.com
Arthur “Roy” Williams is a native of Southwestern Louisiana – the heart of Creole and Cajun country. When he was a child, he heard many stories about the humorous, Creole folktale characters "Bouki and Lapin" (pronounced Boo-key' and Lah-pan' ) — usually after eating a hearty meal of cornbread and sweet water, or just sitting around the fireplace during winter months eating homemade popcorn. The elders enjoyed telling these Creole folktales — usually spoken in French Creole — as entertainment. Such tales also helped to forget the troubles of the day.
Today, the colorful tales of '"Bouki and Lapin" are shared at popular folk life and music festivals, family gatherings and friendly get-togethers. Everyone — young and old — welcomes the adventures of the tricky rabbit, 'Lapin' and the simple-minded donkey, 'Bouki'. (*And no one can quite tell a 'Bouki and Lapin' tale, like Mr. Williams. His love for the folktales is evident in his humorous, part French Creole/part English delivery — and his laughter is contagious to all who listen.)
Mr. Williams, a retired educator, is the owner of a popular Creole restaurant, “Country Cuisine”, which is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he resides. He is married to the former Rita Zeno. The couple has two sons, one daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.
(*Note: Visiting Lafayette, Louisiana or nearby? Be sure to stop at Country Cuisine to grab a hearty bite of delicious, Creole cuisine!)
You and your family will learn (French Creole ) and laugh with the humorous tale, “Bouki's Honey: The Creole Folktales of Compaire Bouki and Compaire Lapin”. (Our easy-to-follow French Creole /English Guide will have you quickly speaking French Creole like a Louisiana native!)
EXCERPT from "Bouki's Honey":
Bouki the donkey, woke up early one morning, and headed out to fetch some honey — from a bee hive he had found just the day before. On Bouki’s way back home, he met his friend Lapin, Rabbit.
“Comment ça va? How are you, Bouki?” Lapin asked Bouki cheerfully.
“Ça va bien — I’m doing well!” Bouki replied, trying to hide his bright-red honey pot. Lapin just smiled and suggested that they go to the garden to do some field work.
“Sure.” said Bouki. "Let me go get some garden tools."
Not wanting to return all the way home, Bouki decided to hide his honey in the nearby church tower — so that Lapin would not find it...Does Lapin find Bouki's honey??? What happens as these 2 Creole folktale characters try to outwit each other -- and only one wins? Find out! Order "Bouki's Honey" today!
