Parang

Lara Brothers Trinidad and Tobago is best recognized as the land of Calypso and Steelpan, however during the Christmas season, the music is Parang.

Parang comes from the Spanish word know as "parranda" (action of merry making, group of serenaders). In Trinidad it refers to folkloric music of Hispanic American origins. In Dominican Republic the music is called "arguinaldo". Parang's origin are controversial. First theory of parang music originted during Christianity of Amerindians by French Clergy Indians in (Spanish) Missions. This does not explain the frequent references to Venezuela and the second theory is that parang music was introduced by Venezuelans imported to work in the cocoa estates which has some merit. Definitely, the close interactions with Venezuelans where parang is also played has matured to a popular form of music not only in Trinidad & Tobago but throughout the Caribbean.

Traditional parang bands often refer to as "Parenderos" consisted of four to six singers accompanied by musicians who played guitar, cuatro, mandolin (bandolin) , violin, cello (violoncello), bandol (bandola), box bass, tambourine, clapper, toc-toc (claves), wood block pollitos, tiple, scratcher (güiro) and maracas (chac-chac or shak-shak).

Parang bands would move from house to house in neighbourhood serenading to family and friends during festive seasons. It would be customary for families to greet the Paranderos with drinks and food, following specific steps or rituals that accompanied the entry to a home, the dedication of songs to a host, the eating and drinking, and the departure. The festive season begin in mid October and goes approximately to January 6 which is the feast of Epiphany. The resulting atmosphere would be that of happiness, togetherness and the joy of good Christmas lime that continue to the early hours of the morning.

Lopinot Paranderos 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. In the last several years Soca and Calypso have fused with parang creating Soca-Parang with lyrics in English which appeal to the North American Christmas with Santa and lots of gifts. In addition, in recent times Indian drumming and Chutney melodies mixed with parang has evolved into a whole new revolution of parang.

Some top parang entertainer included the late Daisy Voisin who was consider the Queen of Parang and entertainers Lara brothers, Los Ninos del Mundo, Sharlene Flores, Marcia Miranda and Scrunter.

Additional information:

  • Soca Parang/Parang Soca compiled by Francisca Allard, please click here.



  • Parang Songs Classification
    Song TypeDescription of the Song
    Serenal or AguinaldoParranderos announce their arrival in song and seek to gain entry to the homes of family and friends to relate the story of the birth of Christ, and to share in the joy of the message of Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all men.
    AnunciacionDescribing the conversation between the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary.
    NacimientoA song about the birth of Christ.
    GuarapoA song based on any topic.
    JoropoSong similar in style to the Spanish waltz.
    Vals (Castillian)A secular song with a slow waltz tempo.
    SalsaA Latin style of music.
    ManzanareA Manzanare is a Venezuelan waltz celebrating different things about the Manzanare river of Cumana, Venezuela.
    EstribilloAn Estribillo is a very lively sing along song in which you call and answer.
    DespedidaThis is a song to give thanks for the joy of sharing, and to say farewell to the host, until the next Christmas.


    Parang Bands
  • A La Rio Suave
  • Amantes de La Muscica
  • Amantes de Parranda (Barataria)
  • Amores de Musica
  • Armonias Divinas Parang Group
  • Ay Caramba
  • BB Serenaders
  • Brasso Seco Parranderos
  • Canciones Melodicas of Santa Cruz
  • Carib Santa Rosa
  • Carib Shaman
  • Con Amor
  • Courts Rio Senores
  • Courts Ruisenores (Pointe-a-Pierre)
  • D New Image Serenaders
  • Del Caribe
  • Dulzura Caliente
  • El Cantaro
  • El Sabor (St. Joseph, Maracas)
  • Flores de San Jose
  • Fuego Caribeño (San Fernando)
  • G. Sharp and Friends
  • Homer Parranderos (Vega de Oropouche Toco Main Road)
  • levantamientos Petrtrin
  • La Bendicion All Star Serenaders (Maracas St. Joseph)
  • La Casa Parranda (Princes Town)
  • La Libertad
  • La Divina Pastora
  • La Estrella de Oriente
  • La Esperanza de Parranda
  • La Familla Alegria
  • La Familia de Camona y Amigos (Edinburgh Gardens Phase 3, Chaguanas)
  • La Familia De Rio Claro
  • La Familia De San Raphael (Gallon)
  • La Finca Paranda
  • La Mansion (Valsayn)
  • La Rio de Maria
  • La Ruseda de Agua (Diego Martin)
  • La Sagrada Familia
  • La Santa Familia
  • La Santa Maria
  • La Tropical
  • Lara Brothers (Cantaro Village, Santa Cruz)
  • Las Buenos Nuevas
  • Las Canciones Melodians
  • Las Estrellita de Oriente
  • Lopinot Paranderos
  • Los Alacranes from Paramin
  • Los Alumnos de San Juan
  • Los Amantes de Parranda
  • Los Amigos Cantadores (Trincity)
  • Los Amigos De Jesus (La Canoa, Santa Cruz)
  • Los Amigos en Musica
  • Los Antiguos Alumnos
  • Los Buenos Paranderos (El Dorado)
  • Los Caballeros
  • Los Caneros
  • Los Cantadores de Brazil
  • Los Cantos de Amor
  • Los Compañeros
  • Los Dinamicos
  • Los Hermanos Lara
  • Los Hombres
  • Los Merenquados
  • Los Muchachos del Agua
  • Los Mundo Nuevo
  • Los Ninos de Santa Rosa
  • Los Ninos del Mundo
  • Los Numeros
  • Los Originales (Diego Martin)
  • Los Paramininos
  • Los Paranderos Amigos
  • Los Paranderos de UWI (UWI - St. Augustin)
  • Los Pastores (Palo Seco)
  • Los Pavitos
  • Los Reyes (formerly Los Muchachos del Agua)
  • Los Reyes de la Colina (Santa Rosa Heights, Arima)
  • Los Sonidos
  • Los Tocadores
  • Los Vikingos de San Jose (St. Joseph)
  • Moments Parang Group
  • Morella Montano and the Maraval Folk Choir
  • Mucho Baila
  • Mucho Tempo
  • Muy Caliente (Moruga)
  • Nuestra Cosa
  • Paramininos (Paramin, Maraval)
  • Petrotrin Levanta Miento
  • Rancho Quernado
  • Rebuscar
  • Renacer (Chaguanas)
  • Rio Suave Los Buenos Parranderos (Barataria)
  • Sabor del Caribe (Cunupia, Chaguanas)
  • Salsa Picante
  • San Antonios de Paranderos (Diego Martin)
  • San Jose Serenaders
  • Sancouche (Point Fortin)
  • Santa Rosa Serenaders
  • Sensacion (San Fernando)
  • Sonríe The Band (St Ann's)
  • St Augustine's Son del Sueno
  • Sun Valley Parang Group
  • Sunlight Serenaders (Acono Road, Maracas/St. Joseph
  • Sweetness Serenaders (Siparia)
  • Sylvan Bharat Tassa Group (Debe)
  • T&TEC Luces Brillantes
  • Tobago Serenaders (Bon Accord)
  • Un Amor
  • Una Sola Voz
  • Unidad Serenaders (Mt Pleasant, Arima)
  • Viva Jesus
  • Viva Nueva
  • Voces de Promesa (Dinsley Village, Tacarigua)
  • Voces Jovenes (Diego Martin)
  • If you know any parang band that are not listed/changed or no longer exist........
    please email me the parang band information. Thanks for your input!



    Parang Videos
    A Tree With Roots Music....Preserving the Music of Trinidad & Tobago.


    Parang 2023
    Sat. 14th Oct. 2023 to Sat. 6th Jan. 2024.Parang Festival 2023 Schedule.







    This site uses frames, if you do not see frames (menu on the left) click here.
    Page maintained by www.tntisland.com, Copyright © 1996-2024 Last Revised: 06/01/2024.