Parang is a popular folk music originating from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago that was brought to Trinidad and Tobago by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian, Spanish, Mestizo, Pardo, Cocoa panyol, and African heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself.

What is parang music in Trinidad and Tobago?

Parang is a style of music that is synonymous with the Christmas season in Trinidad and Tobago. This folk form evolved over time to incorporate singing from house to house and large corporate stages. Competitions and festivals highlight the parang music and create traditions that are part of this Trini Christmas.

Who invented parang music?

Two theories surround the origins of Trinidad parang. The first is that the custom was brought to the island by the Spanish colonists who ruled Trinidad from 1498-1797. It continued to flourish after the British took over the island, because of constant interaction between the people of Trinidad and those of Venezuela.

What are parang instruments?

• Cuatro.
• Guitar.
• Violin.
• Mandolin.
• Bandolin.
• Box bass or string bass (and more currently, electric bass)
• Maracas (or "chac-chac")
• Wood block (or "toc-toc")

What language is parang music sung in?

The traditional parang songs are Christian and are sung in Spanish, but there are also secular styles of parang which are known as Aguinaldos and Despendidas.

♫♫SOCA PARANG MIX (DJ SWEETMAN presents We Paranging Night and Day Mix ) ♫♫

What does Parang mean in Trinidad?

The term Parang is derived from the Spanish word parranda, which means a spree or a fête. ... However, in Trinidad, parang came to mean the songs that were sung especially during the Christmas season.

What are some Spanish place names in Trinidad?

These communities include Lopinot, Santa Cruz, Maracas, Blanchisseuse, Arima, Valencia, Las Cuevas in the north, places to which many of the Spanish speakers had migrated from Caura, the former quintessential Spanish valley (until the 1945 evacuation).

What does Parang mean?

: a short sword, cleaver, or machete common in Malaysia and Indonesia.

What dance did the spanish bring to Trinidad and Tobago?

Dances: Castillian Waltz is a dance that people Trinidad and Tobago like to enjoy at Christmas. Another dance from the spanish heritage is Maypole which is performed by kids dancing around a pole with ribbons. At the end, the pole is beautifully decorated with ribbons.

What are two types of Parang?

The traditional lyrics of parang which was sung in Spanish were mainly Religious and Christian songs. Today there are new and different styles and categories of parang called Aguinaldos (also known as Serenales), Guarapos and Despendidas.

How did parang music come to Trinidad and Tobago?

Parang is a popular folk music originating from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago that was brought to Trinidad and Tobago by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian, Spanish, Mestizo, Pardo, Cocoa panyol, and African heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself.

What is the Parang Festival?

And the musical form became known as Parang, the sound of Christmas in Trinidad & Tobago. ... There is a gradual build up that heightens the anticipation of Christmas which is the most commercial and popular festival of the year, celebrated by all citizens, whatever their religious background.

What is Christmas Parang?

Parang is an upbeat Venezuela-Trinidad hybrid music normally sung in Spanish. ... Now there's also 'soca parang' where songs are sung in English. In the evenings around Christmas, many people like to be 'Parranderos' and go from house to house singing Christmas songs.

What is a soca song?

Soca combines a traditional calypso sound with East Indian musical concepts and Jamaican dancehall beats. To achieve this hybrid of styles, soca recordings often center around multi-tracked electronic instruments and drum machines. In some soca songs, human vocals are the only melodic instrument.

What are in Maracas?

What Are Maracas? Maracas, also known as rumba shakers, are a hand percussion instrument usually played in pairs and common in Caribbean, Latin American, and South American music. Maracas are a rattle instrument traditionally made of dried calabash gourds or turtle shells filled with beans, beads, or pebbles.

What is the cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago?

The distinct cultures that have a major influence on the culture of Trinidad and Tobago are Indian, African, Portuguese, Amerindian, Spanish, Chinese, and others. The country's links with the United Kingdom have left a major impact on its culture, and English is widely spoken across the nation.

Are people from Trinidad black?

Afro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians make up the country's second largest ethnic group, with approximately 36.3% of the population identifying as being of African descent. People of African background were brought to the island as slaves as early as the 16th century.

Why did the British came to Trinidad?

By 1797, when Britain seized the island from Spain, Trinidad had begun its development as a plantation economy and a slave society. Trinidad was formally ceded to Britain in 1802. Under British rule, Trinidad's development as a sugar colony continued, although in 1806–07 the slave trade was completely prohibited.

What music did the British bring to Trinidad?

The island nation is also the birthplace of calypso music, which has its roots in African folk songs, but with a heavy influence from the French, Spanish and British who settled on Trinidad and Tobago. Calypso music was long sung in Patois (a French dialect) before shifting to English.

What is Tila English?

tila → lime blossom tea.

What does satang mean in English?

noun. A subdivision of currency, equal to a 1/100th of a Thai baht. noun.

Was Trinidad colonized by Spain?

It was colonized by the Spanish in 1592. It continued under Spanish rule until 1797, when it was captured by the British. Trinidad was formally ceded to the United Kingdom in 1802.

When did the African came to Trinidad?

In 1606, four hundred and seventy (470) enslaved Africans were brought to Trinidad by Dutch slaver Isaac Duverne. This was the first recorded instance of enslaved Africans being brought to the island.

When did the Chinese came to Trinidad?

Between 1853 and 1866, 2,645 Chinese immigrants went to Trinidad as indentured laborers for the sugar and cacao plantations. The Chinese migration after 1911 was a result of the Chinese revolution. Between 1920s and 1940s, Chinese migration increased. Then it came to a stop during the period of the Chinese revolution.