Opelousas family to be inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists
The Broussard Family Juré will be inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists at this year’s Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival.
Juré is a type of call-and-response music performed a cappella and is accompanied by hand clapping and dancing, a musical tradition dating back to the times of slavery, according to group member Millie Broussard. To make up for the lack of instruments, the Creole slaves used hand claps and foot stomps to create rhythms to sing to. At the time, juré served a dual purpose, keeping the slaves’ energy and spirits up, “a way for people to let loose… like a military cadence,” Millie explained, and as a way to pass along and preserve information.
After the abolishment of slavery, juré became a way of making music during the Lenten season, when it was frowned upon to go to clubs or play instruments. Juré has strong religious roots and was acceptable during Lent. Today, the Broussard Family Juré continue to recognize and praise the presence of God in their lives and his gift of music to their family. Millie said that “We always want to give back the glory to the Giver of the gift.” Their music is at once a celebration of their family’s history and praise to God.
The Broussard Sisters, who are from Opelousas, started doing juré as young children, picking up the songs and dances from their mother. As they grew older, they began to join in on the juré from the outside. Over time, the sisters became part of the juré circles. The oldest in the group was the leader of the call-and-response, and the others would join in.
Originally, Millie said, juré was a family tradition. They only started performing publicly six years ago. She explained that people became interested in the music and how it got started. It was beautiful music, so others became curious. The sisters decided to share their music to keep it, and the memory of their ancestors, alive. Millie compared the music to love, saying that “you don’t want to keep it inside, you want to share it.” It’s important to her and her sisters-in-law that they continue the traditions left behind by those who came before them.
She believes her ancestors would be proud to see how well-loved and popular their juré has become. Millie said, “That was a pastime for them. Now, it’s a passion.” Millie and her sisters love to share the musical tradition that gave their ancestors moments of solace and freedom during times of oppression and slavery, and they are proud to keep the music alive.
The festival will be Saturday, July 22, in the Prather Coliseum, at 220 South Jefferson Street on the Northwestern State University campus in Natchitoches. The festival’s curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors and traditional crafts persons will open at 9 a.m., with live entertainment scheduled for 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The family-oriented festival is fully wheelchair accessible. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are $10 at the door for all events, or $6 for an evening pass to all events after 5 p.m.
The Broussard Family Juré will be performing on the East Stage from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m. and from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Opelousas Daily World: The Broussard Family Juré to be honored at NSU festival
