Le Petit Bon Homme Janvier, the little man of January, visits on New Year's Eve to leave a gift for little Cajun children to find once they wake New Year's Day. The gifts left, usually in the form of fruit and small bits of paper wrapped candy, are sometimes hidden around the house, in stockings left from Christmas, or in the shoes that the children place outside.
(The following articles by Jim Bradshaw appeared in The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, LA on December 28 and December 31, 2004)
Santa didn’t begin to visit Cajun children until the late 1800’s. Before then, le petit bonhomme Janvier, sometimes called the Little January Stranger in English, delivered gifts at New Year’s. If the children were good during the year, he left them fruit and perhaps a bauble
or two. But if they had been bad, he turned trickster and left them ashes.
There were also some remote places in Louisiana’s bayou country where, until relatively recent times, Christmas was not celebrated until February. Some people may still remember that February 25 was called “Trapper’s Christmas.” The real Christmas fell in the middle of the trapping season, when the men of the trappers’ families were out in the marsh. So the families waited until after the trapping season to celebrate Christmas. That way, Papa
was home for the celebration, and so was the money he got for his pelts.
It made for a better celebration.
31 comments:
My family grew up with this custom in Gonzales, Louisiana. We left out our Christmas stockings on New Year's Eve. If we had been "good" our stockings were filled with fruit, candies and maybe a few sparklers for New Year's Day. Our cousins put out shoes for fruit, nuts, coins, etc. BUT, if we hadn't behaved well or were not grateful for what Santa brought us, the idea was that the Little January Man, or what we called "Ti Bon Gnome" (or T boy Gnome??), passed and either brought us something unfavorable or would bring our new Christmas toys back to Santa, which never happened! I think my sister and I (now in our thirties) are among the last few people in our area (Ascension Parish), to our knowledge, to continue the tradition with our children, and even we haven't remembered to do this every year lately. Sadly, we haven't heard of anyone else around here still participating...but that would be interesting to find out. Thanks for the interesting article and good holiday memories!
Believe it or not, my family has continued the tradition. But only thanks to my Aunt Sandra. We were transplanted to New England. And although she doesn't like to visit us during the winter months (my father's family still is all in Lafayette) she was here one New Year's Eve, and much to our surprise the Little January Man came during the night. She still tries to teach me how to cook, too, but I will keep pretending not to remember so she sends us the Cajun care packages. Cajun-hearted in Connecticut
Our family has the same tradition of fruit on new year's day, but it isn't delivered by "Ti Bon Gnome or T boy Gnome." Instead, it comes by way of Santa Coupie (or Croupee or something like that). When we were growing up, we were told that on New Years, if you were bad or didn't appreciate your Christmas gifts, this second Santa of sorts would come and take the toys (a little traumatizing, yes, but effective nonetheless) but if you were good, you got fruits. It seems only my little section of LA knows about this Santa (or calls the fruit bearer by this name) as people continually look at me funny when I speak of his/her passing. Has anyone else heard of such a Santa?
My family also celebrated the tradition in the form of Santa Croupie (Croupee). Like you, I was never informed of the correct spelling. Its funny how you describe the experience as traumatizing. Our Croupie would bang the daylights out of the door when we least expected it. As kids, this scared the you know what out of us, but we always appreciated the goodies he brought. I know that this tradition came down from my grandparents who grew up in Bordelonville, La. However, we were the only family I knew of who practiced this and as I grew up, I was afraid to tell friends about our custom. It's nice to know others shared this custom and that my family wasn't off their rockers after all. Like the cajun french language, it could go extinct if we don't pass it down to our children.
My family is from the Ascension/St. James parish area, and we grew up with the tradition of La Petit Bon Homme as well. When my mom was little she received fruit and nuts in her shoes, but when she passed the tradition to us, she changed it a bit...he would leave odd little fun toys and candies---things like crazy glasses with 3D eyes, or colorful spinning tops, yo-yo's. I am passing this same tradition onto my children as well. I don't know any other families who do this, and I used to ask my mom if she thought her grandmother had made up the "little new year's man". It was nice to find out that it really is part of our culture, passed down through generations. I hope my children will continue the tradition as well in years to come.
What an interesting article and wonderful cajun custom! I hope it gets revived and spreads...let's pass it on before it dies out of our culture. How can we find out more information on the history and different versions of this holiday tradition? Does anyone know when and where it started or what all locations of Louisiana practiced it? (And the few remaining parts that still do??) I love it! I sincerely hope no one is embarrassed by this unique heritage...it should be celebrated and cherished. Cajun Ms. in Darrow, LA
In St. Martin Parish we grew up with Ti-Bonne Homme Janvier who would bring us candy, fruit and fireworks on New Years Day.
I have been searching for years to find someone else who has heard of this tradition! The only difference is that my family always called the person that left the gift on New Year's Eve "Old Lady Long Fingers". Something must have got lost in the translation!...lol. I was terrified as a child that this creepy old lady with long fingers was going to take away all my new toys. So, of course, I was on my best behavior until New Year's Day. Anyone I have every told this to outside of my family thought we were crazy. I was beginning to think it was just something my grandparents made up.
Here I sit in Whitebead, Oklahoma with a bunch of Cajuns from Bordelonville that wonder which Kevin posted...these are Juneaus...they thought Santa Croupee was a woman, told me it was the wife of Santa and only left small things because she was poor. They were not told about the taking of toys when bad. Always got fruit, small toys, candy and firecrackers that would fit in a stocking. Is Kevin Guillot or Bordelon?
My mother in law had this tradition for her grandchildren. She was from Catahoula a little village near St. Martinville. I have continued the tradition with my own grandchildren. I find the children are more excited about Ti Bonhomme Janvier than Christmas. I feel it gives them something to look forward to after the let down of Christmas. In our case the children leave their shoes by the door and TiBonhomme brings one little item such as a ball, a game, color book, etc. I have an article from the The Advocate dated December 1994 by Katrinna Huggs that a friend sent me. I have given it to many friends in hopes of keeping the tradition alive.
Our family had the same tradition, but I could never remember the name. Mom would set out a big etched metal tray passed down to her, and the next mornin, it was filled with "Exotic" fruits and nuts. Pineapple and a coconut were once a year treats, and 4-5 kinds of nuts, besides pecans to crack. It lasted for days!
It's been 2 1/2 years since I last posted. I gave up, not realizing that so many of you posted since I did. With Christmas approaching, I overheard some frinds at work in Austin, TX talking about the German tradidional "Bad Santa" Krampus. An interesting story that reminded me some what of our Cajun French Tradition. Our conversation led back to this site and I noticed the responses since my March 2008 post.
To Whitehead, OK: My name is Kevin Bordelon, but my Grandparents from Bordelonville are Lemoine (Louis and Charlotte).
To B. Tauzin, do you have a way to email a copy of that article from the Advocate?
To everyone else: You have inspired me to cary on the tradition. I have a 2 year old, so for her sake, I'll definately take the fruit / small toys in the shoes approach instead of the old man banging on doors one.
Merry Christmas everyone and of course a Happy New Year filled with Cajun tradition.
BrodieLSU@yahoo.com
We are from Eunice and we had "Papa Lon" (spelling?) He was much the same as everyone else in that he brought fruit and nuts but my mom also did little toys like a barbie doll or jacks, etc. Papa Lon was married to a woman named Madame Grandnuit who had long fingers as mentioned in a previous post and she visited my cousins instead of Papa Lon. I'm doing research to preserve this Cajun tradition as my brother in law from Abbeville and my husband from Shreveport NEVER heard of this tradition. It's crazy how localized some of these traditions are.
My husband is originally from Orange, Texas which borders SW Lousiana. His family had visits from "Old Lady Long Fingers" on New Year's Eve. She'd leave small toys and coins in their shoes, but was rumored to take your Christmas gifts away if you weren't "good" between Christmas and New Year's Day. I told some co-workers about her today, but everyone looked at me like I was crazy. (None of them are Cajun though.) I thought it might be a made-up grandma kind of thing. I'll ask my Dad if they had this tradition. He is from Lake Charles.
I grew up in South Louisiana and had not heard of this till last night. I was shopping in Walmart and buying half price Christmas candy to send to the troops in Afghanistan. Two lady shoppers asked if I was buying for the "New Year's Man" to bring to kids. When they told me about the Cajun tradition I told them the "New Year's Man" will deliver these to the Marines in Afghanistan. I googled this tradition and will send this article with the package. Thank you.
I am from the New Orleans area. My Grandmother shared the tradition of the Le Petit Bonhomme Janvier with my brother and my cousin. As far as I know, we are the only family in the New Orleans area that celebrates the tradition of the Little January Man. My Grandmother was from the Napoleonville and St. Martinville areas. What I would like to know from all of you that posted about the T-Bonhomme, is what you envision him looking like.
I see him as a little man with a mischievous sneer, colorful plaid shirt, and curly tipped shoes. Since his is a trickster, I could easily invasion him with a bag of tricks or goodies. I'm torn on what his hat should look like though, a bowler would be way to English; a top hat may get him mistaken for a leprechaun.
That's my impression anyway..
Hello Gallimore, My name is Cornell P. Landry. I am a children's book author who lives in the greater New Orleans area. My most popular book is titled "Goodnight NOLA". I am just about complete on my newest book "Le Petit Bonhomme Janvier: The Little January Man". Marcelle Bienvenu (who is famous for writing "Who's your Mama? Are you Catholic? and Can you make a Roux?", is contributing the foreword to the book and 7 recipes for parents to make with their children. This book is dedicated to my grandmother who taught this tradition to me and my family. We still celebrate the tradition to this day. I hope that this book will help to keep the celebration of the T-Bonhomme alive for many future generations to come.
Please email me at blackpot70054@ymail.com . I would love to show you what we have come up with. The T-Bonhomme looks great. I hope you will like him too. I would love for you to help me to get the word out by blogging about my new book.
Sincerely,
Cornell P. Landry
Hello Gallimore, My name is Cornell P. Landry. I am a children's book author who lives in the greater New Orleans area. My most popular book is titled "Goodnight NOLA". I am just about complete on my newest book "Le Petit Bonhomme Janvier: The Little January Man". Marcelle Bienvenu (who is famous for writing "Who's your Mama? Are you Catholic? and Can you make a Roux?", is contributing the foreword to the book and 7 recipes for parents to make with their children. This book is dedicated to my grandmother who taught this tradition to me and my family. We still celebrate the tradition to this day. I hope that this book will help to keep the celebration of the T-Bonhomme alive for many future generations to come.
Please email me at blackpot70054@ymail.com . I would love to show you what we have come up with. The T-Bonhomme looks great. I hope you will like him too. I would love for you to help me to get the word out by blogging about my new book.
Sincerely,
Cornell P. Landry
I grew up in South Lafourche, LA (Cut Off) and currently am in Birmingham, AL- I have two children and my family has always continued to practice this tradition, even before the kids were born. We have the "Christienne" who visits on New Year's Eve. Recently, my daughter had to write a report describing family traditions at the holiday. She chose to tell about this tradition... I am happy to know we are not the only ones who set the stockings out for New Year's Eve!
I am Michelle Slocum. First cousin to Kevin Bordelon. The memories of crazy Santa Croupee coming to visit on New Year's Eve are still fresh in my mind. I too still celebrate this tradition with our 3 children here in Houston, TX. We do still have someone bang the heck out of the front door and throw in the goodies. Wish I would have known about the shoe tradition earlier as my oldest son is determined to catch Santa Croupee now. This is actually what we would do as we got older. I am glad to know of the tradition and hope that my children will carry it on for generations to come.
My great grandmother told us our fruit and money (left in a sock) was brought by Mrs. Claus (Christienne) on New Years. (Sorry if the same comment keeps going through, it keeps disappearing on my phone!)
I find all these tradions very interesting. I grew up with my grandmother (who was from the Lafayette, LA area) and "La Christienne" always left me something on New years eve. There was a "Madam Longfingers" but she visited only the children who had been bad. Incidentally, my family (Authements) originally lived in LaFourche Parish. Anon.
I find all these tradions very interesting. I grew up with my grandmother (who was from the Lafayette, LA area) and "La Christienne" always left me something on New years eve. There was a "Madam Longfingers" but she visited only the children who had been bad. Incidentally, my family (Authements) originally lived in LaFourche Parish. Anon.
I live in upper penninsula Michigan. My mother-in-law passed this tradition on. I was wondering about the history of this tradition so my story was straight with what I was telling my children. Thank you for this article.
I have continued the New Year's Eve tradition as many of you. We were told her name was Krish Kin - a twist to the name Christine. She was the lady with long fingernails who pulled your toes if you had been naughty between Christmas and New Year's Eve. She may even take a toy. If you were well behaved she left fruits and hard candies in a pillow case. She always decorated one room in the house with streamers, party hats, and noise makers. I am so thankful to my mother for introducing this Cajun/French tradition to me. I encourage you to pass it on. Happy New Year.
My mother, Thelma Arnaud, would talk about "Krish Kin" (Christienne) passing on New Year’s Eve. This Arnaud family tradition was a much anticipated event in our Opelousas home with Santa Claus’s wife, "Krish Kin", passing on New Year’s Eve to re-fill our stockings with fruit & candy, but no toys. This tradition was passed down through my mother’s family who are from Arnaudville, Louisiana. Over the years I have discussed this Christmas holiday tradition with many cajuns & most never heard of it. I feel very fortunate to have experienced this wonderful part of the Christmas season. The tradition of Madame Grand Doigts or Little January Man, or "Ti Bon Gnome" or "T boy Gnome" passing on New Year’s Eve is something new to me.
I grew up in Bordino, Louisiana which is between Moreauville and Bordelonville where SanTaa Kroupee was as popular as Santa Claus. I've lived in lots of different places and have often told the stories of our Avoyelles Parish traditions so much that I decided to write books about them. I've changed the spelling to differ a little from Santa Claus to have the French inflection when people pronounced it. SanTaa Kroupee A New Year's Eve Tale, SanTaa Kroupee and Paquin' Eggs on the Bayou and SanTaa Kroupee and the Shod De Vod De Parade. I've continued the tradition with my children and now my children continue it with their children. Our SanTaa Kroupee came on NYE and left fruit, candy and little gifts in our stockings or in my case, things Santa Claus had forgotten lol. It is a wonderful, sweet tradition that I've tried to encourage everyone I can to start with their children and grandchildren. I read SanTaa Kroupee A New Year's Eve Tale every year at Acadian Village in Lafayette in an effort to spread the word of SanTaa Kroupee. b. colette juneau brecoljun@gmail.com
I'm 59, and we still celebrate this custom. In our family it's called Petite Christmas. Children leave out their slipper and on New Year's Day it holds sweets & gifts. ♥️✌️
I just read an article in Country Roads Dec 2022 called The Year's Last Visitor about this tradition.
My mother had French and German ancestors , Lemoyne and Edler..I tried to find where the traditional putting shoes by the door on New Year's Eve came from but couldn't trace it...I was happy to see others had practiced this and still do.
I love that the tradition of putting our shoes by the front door on New Year's Eve is still going on...I did this with my 2 sons and when I had my grandchildren over on New Year's Eve. Unfortunately , my sons did not carry the tradition on..Maybe I can get my grandchildren to keep it going with their children.. My name is Mona Middlebrook..My mother was an Edler from Laplace and her mother was a Lemoine from St. John the Baptist Parish..
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