parang

• There are two theories on the origin of parang:

  • The custom was brought to Trinidad by the Spanish who ruled from 1498 to 1797
  • The custom was brought over from Venezuela by the Cocoa Payols
• Traditional parang was often performed during the week leading up to Christmas and was performed in Spanish
• The lyrical content included various aspects and stories of Christmas
• There was also secular (non- religious) music that was often performed for dancing and entertainment
• The performers, called parranderos would walk throught the village, stopping house to house, and serenade the persons
• Parranderos accepted food and drink as payment
• The group consisted of both musicians and singers
• "House to house" celebrations are still done in St. Joseph, Arima, Lopinot
• Parang music increased in popularity in the 1970's and 1980's
• With the development of soca, the integration of more modern instruments, like the electric guitar, that were taken from the calypso bands
• In the late 1980's and 1990's, soca and calypso began to fuse together
• the fuse of soca and parang resulted in:

  • Soca Parang
  • Parang Soca
• Traditional Artists:

  • Daisy Voisin
  • La Divina Pastora
  • Holly Betaudier (Holly B)
• Soca Parang:

  • Timothy Walkins (The Baron)
  • Roland Yearwood (RemBunction)
  • Edwin Ayoung (Crazy)