Parang is a popular folk music originating fromVenezuela andTrinidad and Tobago that was brought toTrinidad and Tobago byVenezuelan migrants^[1] who were primarily ofAmerindian,Spanish,Mestizo,Pardo, andAfrican heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself. The word is derived from two Spanish words:parranda, meaning "a spree”, andparar meaning "to stop".

In the past, it was traditional for parang serenaders to pay nocturnal visits to the homes of family and friends, where part of the fun was waking the inhabitants of the household from their beds. Today, parang is especially vibrant in Trinidad and Tobago communities such asParamin,Lopinot, andArima.

A new form of parang, soca parang, has emerged.Soca parang is a combination ofsoca and parang.

In Trinidad, traditional parang music is largely performed around Christmastime,^[1] when singers and instrumentalists (collectively known as theparranderos)^[2] travel from house to house in the community,^[3] often joined by friends, neighbours, and family, using whatever instruments are at hand. Popular parang instruments include theVenezuelan cuatro (a small, four-string guitar)^[1] andmaracas (locally known aschac-chacs).^[1] Other instruments often used areviolin,guitar,claves (locally known astoc-toc),box bass (an indigenous instrument),tambourine,mandolin,bandol,caja (a percussive box instrument), and marimbola (an Afro-Venezuelan instrument). In exchange for the entertainment, parranderos are traditionally given food and drink: pasteles,pastelle,sorrel,rum andPonche Crema (a form of alcoholiceggnog).

While traditional house-to-housecaroling tradition is still practised by some small groups and larger organized groups, modern parang music has also developed a season of staged performances calledparang fiestas, held from October through to January each year, culminating in a national parang competition. Today, parang is especially vibrant in Trinidad and Tobago communities such asParamin,Lopinot, andArima.

Traditional parang music includes a variety of song types:

• aguinaldo orserenal: relating to the stories of the nativity of Christ similar to European carols played in the Canary Islands and Andalusia;
• guarapo: a secular song, often with passages of improvised lyrics where content and length vary according to the skill of the lead singer;
• estribillo: a lively call-and-response style song;
• rio Manzanares: a Venezuelanwaltz which celebrates the different aspects of theManzanares River ofCumaná, Venezuela;
• joropo: similar in style to the Spanish waltz;
• galerón;^[2]
• picón;
• despedida: a song of farewell and gratitude.

Since the 1950s, parang has become more popularised. In the 1980s it evolved into "soca parang", a fusion of soca and parang with lyrics inEnglish. While still festive in nature, the lyrics often refer to North American cultural elements such asSanta Claus.

Parang has also been fused withchutney,^[4] a form of vocal music indigenous to Trinidad, influenced by Indian rhythms and sometimes sung inHindustani. This fusion formschutney parang.^[1]

• Afro–Trinidadian and Tobagonian culture
• Indigenous peoples in Trinidad and Tobago
• Trinidad and Tobago styles of music
• Venezuelan diaspora
• Folk music genres

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