Corsicans

the people living on the island of Corsica. Population, 269,000 (1968).

In daily life two dialects of Italian are spoken—Cismontano and Oltremontano; the language of school and administration is French. Most Corsicans are Catholics. Occupations include live-stock raising (sheep, goats), agriculture (olives, grapes, grains, vegetables), fishing, and handicrafts (basket weaving, weaving of cord, and straw hats). The material culture and folk traditions of the Corsicans are similar to those of the Italians, especially the Sardinians. Vestiges of tribal relations (the blood feud, or vendetta) persisted until the early 20th century. French language and culture began to influence Corsica in the last third of the 18th century; the island became a permanent part of France in 1796. The Corsicans took part in the Resistance during World War II.