English translation ( va ChatGPT):
JUAN PARDO
Big Chief
He is the Big Chief and leader of The Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians, one of the tribes in the Indian culture of New Orleans.
What exactly is a Mardi Gras Indian?
Juan Pardo is the Big Chief and leader of The Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians, based in New Orleans. The Mardi Gras Indian culture in New Orleans was introduced to many through the TV series Treme, which was set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Dressed in colorful costumes adorned with feathers and beadwork, the Indians are an impressive sight. However, the Mardi Gras Indian culture is not just a carnival tradition; it encompasses much more, as Juan Pardo explains in an interview with Bluesnews.
The bond between Black slaves in Louisiana and Native Americans was forged hundreds of years ago. If a slave managed to escape from their owner, Native Americans would often help them to safety or even take them into their tribe. This help has not been forgotten by Black communities, and through the tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians, they honor their rescuers.
Parades and Celebration
Mardi Gras is celebrated on what we call Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent traditionally began before Easter. On this day, people would eat rich and delicious food and celebrate before the strict fasting period. While in some places this period is marked with sweet buns or pastries, Mardi Gras is one of the biggest festivities in New Orleans. The day is filled with parades, costumes, parties, and music from early morning to late at night—a true, spectacular celebration.
In the past, Black people were excluded from the city’s parades, so they created their own tradition. Organized into several tribes, today there are 52 Mardi Gras Indian tribes in New Orleans. According to Juan, about 30 of them are active, meaning they uphold the Mardi Gras tradition and create costumes. The costumes are very expensive, and not everyone can afford or has the time to make them.
The Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians work to preserve their culture through education, performances, and entertainment, as well as by encouraging a healthy lifestyle. The tribe focuses strongly on young people and is inclusive of anyone who seeks knowledge about their culture. They strive to build productive relationships with others and leave a positive impression through their actions.
Juan Pardo is also an author. He has written the children's book When the Morning Comes – a Mardi Gras Indian Story. Mardi Gras characters may seem frightening to children, but in this story, the chief explains the tradition to them.
The TV Series Treme
Big Chief Juan Pardo became involved in the series Treme, both in front of and, eventually, behind the camera. In the show, he plays a "spy boy" in season 2—the person who goes ahead in the parade to ensure there is no trouble awaiting them. After the first season, the filmmakers realized they needed to consult the real Mardi Gras Indians to portray the culture authentically.
"I was involved in season 2 of the series," Pardo explains. "There, people could see more of our costumes. I also influenced the director to make it authentic. The scene in the series where the tribes meet is quite typical of what you might see on a Mardi Gras morning in New Orleans. There's also a spiritual aspect to this, which maybe doesn't come across as strongly in the show."
Pardo has performed in several places across Europe and has noticed that people are interested in their culture.
"I find that people abroad are very enthusiastic when they hear our music, which they often aren't familiar with beforehand. It's not just the music but also the experience. Many enjoy that aspect of it. I love the electric atmosphere of European audiences. Sometimes, it gets really energetic!"
Most people in Norway haven't been particularly familiar with the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians. What we do know, we probably learned from the series Treme.
What exactly is a Mardi Gras Indian Tribe?
It is exactly that, a tribe. It’s not some kind of club. We are a tribe, like those you can find in Africa or among the Native Americans in America. With today’s modern lifestyle, the traditional tribal culture in society has gradually disappeared. Some of this is likely due to the indoctrination we’ve experienced in the school system here. In America, the history of Black people or Native Americans was never given attention or written down; it was not considered important. So, the history that exists was written by the oppressor. That doesn’t make it true or accurate, but those who read it believe what they read.
This tribal tradition has existed since people with roots in various tribes from Africa were taken as slaves and transported to America, the Caribbean, Haiti, and Cuba, as well as from the Native American tribes of Louisiana and the surrounding areas. The Black Code from 1724 was the law in Louisiana and dictated what Black people could and couldn’t do. For example, they couldn’t wear feathers or play traditional music.
When we come out on Mardi Gras, we honor the local native tribes. We celebrate the union between those from the African diaspora and the members of the indigenous tribes of Louisiana.
And the reason the Mardi Gras Indians were able to hold their parades on this day was that the white people, meaning the slave owners, police, and those who were supposed to control the Black people, were celebrating Mardi Gras in the French Quarter and were too drunk to pay attention to what the Black people were doing. It became a moment of freedom; they could dress with forbidden feathers and play as they wanted. Over time, they made masks. The masking of the culture was hidden by Mardi Gras itself. This is why they still celebrate their traditions on Mardi Gras Day.
Big Chief
When the Indians march, the tribe's Spy Boy is the one who leads the parade and checks for other tribes. He signals the Chief about what lies ahead. The Flag Boy carries the tribe's flag and passes the messages on to the Big Chief. In earlier times, there was often rivalry and conflict when two tribes met in an alley, and the day was often used to settle old disputes. Today, it is more peaceful.
How does one become a Big Chief?
One is usually appointed by the tribe leader or elected by the tribe members if a chief steps down or passes away. I became Big Chief in 2015. I started as a Spy Boy, and the leader of The Golden Comanches was my older brother. He stepped down as chief, and I was appointed as Big Chief.
What does a Big Chief do, aside from leading the parade on Mardi Gras Day?
Juan explains that the Chief has the same role as leaders in all tribes. You are responsible for making decisions that concern the tribe, and you must keep track of the members. You help with everything from babysitting to house renovations and guiding members. If a member is in financial trouble, the tribe comes together to help. There’s an old African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child, which reflects the tribal element.
The Musician Pardo
In addition to being the leader of the Golden Comanche tribe, Juan Pardo is also a musician. He has recorded albums and performed with some of the most well-known bands in New Orleans, like Galactic.
I’ve always been drawn to all kinds of music. There is magic and strength in the frequencies of music, and today it’s scientifically proven. I believe in the frequencies of music. I like to sing our tribal songs. When you’re a chief, you have a responsibility to lift the tribe spiritually and tell our story through song. Singing is a huge responsibility; our history and cultural heritage are in our traditional songs. They are our oral history.
Juan Pardo has also sung on albums with various bands in New Orleans, France, Cuba, and now with Arne Skage from Norway. The people he has worked with over the years feel a sense of connection to the music of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes, he believes.
I can’t explain it, I just accept that it’s like that. It’s been an interesting experience for me, with people I feel I can collaborate with.
Skage and New Orleans
Arne Skage has a deep love for the city of New Orleans and its music.
We have many mutual acquaintances in the New Orleans music scene, and it was through mutual friends that we met, says Pardo.
We shared a love for the music, and Arne has great respect for the culture of New Orleans and extensive knowledge of the city's music tradition. It was an experience for us to meet and record the song Tootie Mae on Arne’s latest album. Everything he does shows his deep love for our music. This mix of all types of music that you can hear on any street corner in New Orleans is truly unique. The music represents all the people and cultures in the city and their traditions.
One of the holiest places for the Mardi Gras Indians is Congo Square in New Orleans. The area where Congo Square was located is now part of Louis Armstrong Park, which is in the Treme neighborhood of the city. On Sundays, enslaved people and people from all cultures in the city could meet at Congo Square to play, sing, and dance to their own music. They were allowed to practice their culture at Congo Square. This was unique in America. In other parts of the country, they had to suppress their culture. Here, the enslaved could hear music from different cultures. Perhaps that’s why the music culture in New Orleans is so strong, and the city's musicians blend styles and play together so easily?
Yes, that’s exactly right, that’s why the music stands so strong to this day, says Juan.
Juan Pardo is in the process of sewing his new costume, which will be showcased at Mardi Gras in February.
An important part of the Mardi Gras celebration is the costumes, Juan explains.
New costumes are made every year, and everything on them is handmade. It takes over 300 days to sew a costume, and they often weigh 50-60 kilograms. The costume tells a story and is deeply rooted in spirituality. The idea for the costume sometimes comes in a dream or a spiritual experience.
Costume for Mardi Gras
To finish the costume I’m making, I need to work at least four hours every day, and it takes a year to complete. When you see a member of The Golden Comanches strolling around the neighborhood on Mardi Gras Day, you’re seeing an entire year’s history in that costume. Imagine putting all of 2024 on your body and walking out into the neighborhood. My Spy Boy recently had his first son, and that event is also represented in his costume.
Juan continues, I have the idea for the costume, and the inspiration comes through our history and through nature. I feel that the universe is trying to tell you what to do, you just have to listen. That’s also what I try to teach the other members of the tribe: to listen and learn. Our ancestors are telling us something, and in that process, you must listen carefully.
Do you also play and sing together throughout the year, outside of Mardi Gras?
Oh yes, absolutely. We do everything together, like a tribe. We celebrate birthdays, attend funerals, we support each other. It’s all for one, and we often sing. We are like one big family. Today, we have modern technology, so we can FaceTime or video chat with each other. I want to encourage people to seek knowledge about and appreciate our culture. Our history is told through our music and our costumes. I’m grateful to have become the chief of our tribe. I like being a cultural bearer, and I enjoy traveling the world as an ambassador to share our culture and history. I am humble.
Juan Pardo thanks for the conversation and hopes he can return to Norway again.
