This Page of Echoes contains stories, research, and other information on the timeless traditions that make us who we are. Enjoy!

What is Parang?

The word Parang is the shortened Trinidadian version of the Spanish word Parranda, commonly found in the Venezuelan expressions – andar or ir de parranda, which means to go out, sing, dance and have a good time. Parang is a cultural custom handed down by our Venezuelan ancestors which refers to groups of serenaders getting together and enjoying themselves by moving from house to house, visiting relatives and friends, with musical instruments to serenade them. Although the word parranda is not really associated with Christmas music and this type of merrymaking can take place at any place, on any occasion, in Trinidad, Parang takes place mostly at Christmas time. The Parang season is from October to the 6^th January.

Traditionally a Parang group would go “house – to – house paranging” by going to the homes of their relatives and friends in the evening/early morning to celebrate Christmas by singing songs in Spanish. The Parang starts with a song outside (a Serenal) to wake up those in the home and to identify the parranderos (the term used to refer to all those who belong to parang groups and go paranging.) After the hosts have invited the group in, songs narrating the Annunciation and the Birth of Jesus (aguinaldos) are sung. This is followed by a short interval when the group is served typical Christmas eats and drinks. After the interval, secular songs are sung – like the manzanare, guarapo, joropo, estribillo and ensaladilla (traditional Venezuelan folk songs). Then the group sings goodbye (a Despedida) to their hosts, wishes them “Feliz Navidad” and informs them where they are going next.  

Nowadays, this pattern has not changed much but Parang groups are more in demand to entertain at events like concerts, lunches and dinners, in shopping malls and at functions of all types. There are Parang competitions and festivals. However, although Parang today has become a performance for the public, there still remains that element of merrymaking and rejoicing that has always been associated with Parang. The musical instruments used are traditionally the cuatro, guitar, mandolin, violin, flute, box bass and percussion instruments like the maracas, the toc-toc and the scratcher.  Modern Parang groups have incorporated drums, the keyboard and steelpan – the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.

The word parang can function in many ways: as a noun (We’re going to make a parang in Paramin), as an adjective (a parang show/a parang group) or as a verb (We parang every year in Lopinot/We parang the wrong house). Today not all parang songs are sung in Spanish and the term Parang has shifted to encompass not only this genre of music derived from Venezuelan folk but also other genres like Parang-soca and Soca-parang, with lyrics in English or blending Spanish and English. For Trinidadians Parang is an integral aspect of the Christmas season.

Río Manzanares

The Manzanares River is a fifty (50) mile long river which passes through Cumaná, (the first Spanish settlement in South America), in Sucre State, Venezuela. It is believed that this river got its name from the Spanish conquistadors who decided to name it after the river Manzanares that crosses Madrid, the capital of Spain. The song Río Manzanares is a tribute to this river and its lyrics reflect the worry and desperation of a son who needs to cross this treacherous river to reach home because his mother who is ill has sent for him. It achieved international acclaim and was very famous in the middle of the 20^th century. It is considered by many to be the national anthem of Cumaná, highlighting love, loss and the importance of family as well as the cultural worth of this river to the community. The song was brought to Trinidad by our Venezuelan Cocoa Panyol ancestors.

Dara Healy, in her article entitled, Parang Unveiled, (Saturday 1, December, 2018, Trinidad and Tobago Newsday) states that “The song recalls a mighty flood of the Manzanares River in Venezuela that caused many deaths. …. It is said that the song was written to ensure that future generations would not forget the lives that were lost.” Up to today, this song is very popular and much appreciated as it is considered an essential component of the repertoire of all parang groups.

Chorus

Río Manzanares,                                 Manzanares River,

Déjame pasar,                                     Let me cross,

Que mi madre enferma                      As my sick mother

Me mandó llamar.                              Sent to call me.

Verse

Mi madre es la única estrella              My mother is the only star

Que alumbra mi porvenir.                   That lights up my future.

Y si se llega a morir                             And if she should die

Al cielo me voy con ella.                     I am going with her to

                                                            heaven.