What are Parrandas in Puerto Rico?
What are Parrandas in Puerto Rico?
Parrandas. A parranda or trulla is the boricua version of a Christmas Carol. Friends and families gather in front of a house – usually after 10:00 p.m. – with instruments like panderos, maracas, güiros, cuatros, and guitars to sing aguinaldos (traditional Christmas songs).
Why do they celebrate Parrandas in Puerto Rico?
A parranda (English: party or spree) is a Puerto Rican music tradition that takes place in Puerto Rico during the Christmas holiday season….Parranda.
| Parranda(s) | |
|---|---|
| Significance | Celebration of the Christmas season |
| Celebrations | Music, food, drinks, dancing |
| Observances | Yearly |
| Date | December, could spill into early January |
What happens during a Puerto Rican parranda in order?
A parranda is when a small group of friends gathers together to “asaltar” or surprise another friend. It’s the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. The parrandas usually begin after 10pm in order to surprise and wake the sleeping friend. The parranderos are invited in and refreshments, music and dance follow.
What instruments do they play in Puerto Rico?
Traditional Musical Instruments Used in Puerto Rican Parrandas
- PANDERETA : The tambourine.
- GÜIRO : It is a hollow gourd with parallel notches cut in one side.
- MARACAS:
- PANDEROS :
- PALITOS :
- CUATRO PUERTORRIQUEÑO :
- GUITARRA :
- TROMPETAS:
How does a parranda work in Puerto Rico?
Parrandas are the Puerto Rican version of caroling. It is marked by singing traditional Puerto Rican music called aguinaldos (Christmas Songs) and using traditional instruments, including Guitars and Cuatros, tambourines, maracas, palitos, and guiros. Check our Cancionero Navideño How does a Parranda Work in Puerto Rico?
What kind of music do they play in Puerto Rico?
One of our favorite traditions is the Parranda. Parrandas are the Puerto Rican version of caroling. It is marked by singing traditional Puerto Rican music called aguinaldos (Christmas Songs) and using traditional instruments, including Guitars and Cuatros, tambourines, maracas, palitos, and guiros.
When do parranda take place in the UK?
The traditional events have been likened to Christmas caroling, but the contents of the songs are secular rather than religious. They are sometimes carried out in the evening, but most traditionally occur in the night, even into the wee hours of the morning.
Who is the leader of the parranda band?
The parranda leader (generally, their musical director) signals everyone to start playing their instruments and singing. The music and singing surprises the sleeping dwellers who get up, turns on the inside and outside lights and invites the “parranderos” into the house.