NOTHING LIKE A PUERTO RICAN PARRANDA Puerto Ricans are known for their unforgettable parrandas or trullas navideñas. A parranda is when a small group of friends gathers together to asaltar or surprise another friend. Its the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling. Most parranderos play some sort of instrument, either guitarras, tamboriles, güiro maracas, or palitos. And they all sing. A parranda tends to be more secular than religious however many of the traditional aguinaldos (Puerto Rican Christmas songs) retain the holiday spirit. The parranderos arrive at the destination and then very quietly gather by the front door. At a signal all start playing their instruments and singing. 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. Of course we dont surprise unsuspecting victims. The parranderos are given plenty of hints before hand by the homeowner that he is ready to receive a parranda. The party goes on for an hour or two then everyone, including the owners of the house, leave to parrandear some more. The group grows as they offer their parranda at several houses during that night. At the last house probably around 3 or 4 in the morning the homeowner offers the traditional chicken soup or asopao de pollo. The party is over at dawn.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 16:41:41 +0000
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