Parang Lives On!

Written by Daria Matthews

    "Levanta senor," the parranderos sang, and to their request we magically respond with open doors and trays of Christmas delicacies.  It was traditional and hence automatic.  Parang music would always make this festive, joyous season so complete.  Singing Spanish songs about the season of Christmas was how the Amerindians (a South American Indian tribe), expressed their connection with the birth of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  As a child growing up in Trinidad I loved this part of Christmas.  It was so much a part of me and still is.  Until today I still need the sound of Parang music in the air to feel that spirit of Christmas.

    The word Parang originates from the Spanish word 'parranda' meaning 'making merry'.  History has it that the music was started when the Venezuelans migrated to Trinidad to work on farms in the early nineteenth century.  The Amerindian tribes that remained in the island of Trinidad, namely the Caribs and the Arawaks, expressed themselves in song with the music they brought to the island.  The traditional Parang music is played around Christmas time.  Singers and instrumentalists would travel house to house in their village or neighborhood, improvising anything as a musical instrument.  The main instruments included the cuatro, the maracas (locally called the shak-shak), the guitar, the claves (also known as the toc-toc), the box bass, and mandolin.  For their entertainment the parranderos were treated with food and drink that were specially made for this time of the year.

    Over the years Parang has evolved from just a group of friends visiting house to house to established parang groups, and today there is a national parang competition.  Parang season in Trinidad and Tobago officially starts towards the end of September.  These performances end on January 6th every year, which is the feast of the Epiphany. 

There is a twist to parang music, which actually began around the early fifties.  Parang has been fused with Calypso music with the lyrics sung in English, creating a whole new Caribbean folk music genre, called "Soca parang".  The lyrics of Soca parang however, steps out of the traditional religious content, pertaining to the Nativity; and rather relates to other elements that are related to the Christmas season like food and rum.  Parang music has also been fused with Chutney, which is also a form of vocal music originated in Trinidad.  Chutney music was influenced by the East Indians and some of the lyrics are sung in Hindi.

    Soca parang music is favored by the youth of Trinidad and Tobago because of the upbeat music it contains.  There are some schools in Trinidad that have parang competitions among themselves, encouraging the genre to live on.  Despite the way parang music has evolved into Soca parang and being fused with Chutney, there is still the demand for the original parang music out there.  Whether it is in Trinidad or out of Trinidad, the consumer market for the music remains constant.

    Why do folks out of Trinidad purchase Parang music, go to parang concerts or listen to parang on their stereos?  It is very simple; it gives them that feeling of being at home at Christmas time. Parang music will always be missed, and will always be craved for by any Trinidadian around Christmas time.

    Why do some of the youth still sing or perform in parang bands or groups?  Parang is so much a part of them that they do not want to see such an art form die.  According to Shawn Noel, Awarding Winning producer of Mastamind Productions, Parang music will still be here for years to come.  Noel who has been an instrumentalist for Parang from tender age of nine, claims he is still trying to preserve the tradition and culture of the island of Trinidad and Tobago.  With his extraordinary talent and expertise, Noel has had the option to play or perform any type of music in any culture.  His choice as a young adult who is rather focused on his priorities - is Soca parang.  He sets a foundation for Parang and Soca Parang to blossom, exposing the music to the rest of the world.

    Having produced two very recent Soca parang albums, that also features traditional Parang music, he is confident that this music will not die. Featuring artists like Leon Coldero, Eddie Charles, De Postman, Patch, Crazy, Adrian Dutchin and his dear talented mom Hazel Noel on his albums, Noel declares that sales were better in Trinidad than in the US.  However, the sales in the US included not only Trinidadian consumers, but other West Indians and even US citizens.  The albums entitled "A Mastamind Christmas " and "A Mastamind Christmas 2", has  proven the increase in popularity for Parang.  When asked where he sees Parang ten years down the road, Noel's response is that there will be more appreciation for Soca Parang but the traditional Parang music will always live on in every Trinidadian.

    A despedida is the farewell song the parranderos sing when leaving a house.  This is giving thanks in song to the host of the house for sharing their time and whatever they had to offer. I leave you with the popular refrain you would often hear at the end of their stay "Vayan con Dios."