One of the many unique features of Trinidad and Tobago culture is" Parang". Parang is a particular type of folk music performed by a group of musicians and singers which influences can be traced back to the 17th century. 

The word parang comes from the Spanish word “parranda” which means to party or spree. Paranging, as it is called, is associated with Christianity and the Christmas season in which traditionally a group of musicians with make shift instruments would move from house to house in the rural areas singing songs of the annunciation, birth and nativity of Christ, in particular. The singing, eating, drinking and fellowship that are an integral part of paranging would normally begin in October and continue up to the Epiphany in January. 

Historians are divided as to the origins and introduction of parang to Trinidad and Tobago. One school of thought is that it originated from the Spanish conquistadors who, together with the Catholic Church, used music as one instrument to pacify the native Amerindians and African slaves. The latter subsequently adopted the music and conformed it to their social environment. Another view was that European planters of French and Spanish origin coming to the New World brought their influences to bear on its existence. Notwithstanding the lack of consensus of its origin and introduction, parang has a strong connection to the twin influences of the Spanish and Catholic Church as is exemplified by the singing of parang in Spanish and its association with the Christmas season. This is most evident also in Trinidad where the main centers of parang are the rural villages that carry such Spanish names as Santa Cruz, Lopinot, Valencia, Sangre Grande, Siparia and Rio Clario, to name a few.

 Paranging and parang is more than a tradition, it’s a way of life for many people who live in the rural areas. Parang has survived and grown over the centuries in Trinidad as succeeding generations have sought to keep the flames of this unique life style burning in the hearts of its people. So established is this cultural form today that many parrenderos organize and dedicate their life to the advancement of this art form.  

Over the years parang has undergone many changes and has somewhat departed from its true meaning and practice. A national parang competition has been established with parang groups vying for the coveted prize of the best "parang side" in the land. Modern technology has also transformed the art form. In many parang groups, the wooden hand crafted instruments such as the cuatro, violin, mandolin, banjo, guitars and box bass, the traditional instruments of the parranderos have, in most cases, been replaced and enhanced by commercial music instruments and amplification to project a ‘bigger and better’ sound. Similarly, there has been a trend to fuse other rhythms and sounds unique to Trinidad and Tobago with parang to give it an upbeat flavor. Two examples of these newer rhythms are ‘soca-parang’ and ‘chutney-parang’ and these are complemented by lyrics that, in many cases, have little bearing to the nature of the season being celebrated.  

One positive aspect of the changes taking place with parang though is the increasing involvement of young people. While parang as lived in Trinidad may have moved away from its roots and develop its own characteristics, it continues to be one of the country’s most celebrated tradition. Indeed, its future appears promising as the next generation has answered the call and is prepared to take the art form to a higher level.