Note 12 — Little Dictionary of Creole Proverbs.

The Louisiana tiyon or tignon [tiyon is the true Creole word] is the famously picturesque handkerchief which in old days all slave women twisted about their heads. It is yet worn by the older colored folk: and there are several styles of arranging it—tiyon chinoise, tiyon Créole, etc. An old New Orleans ditty is still sung, of which the refrain is:—

“Madame Caba, your tiyon’s falling off!”