2009年08月26日
PARANG – CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS WITH THE LARA BROTHERS
Trinidad celebrates Christmas with Parang: A fascinating "Lime" (party) with traditional songs, rhythms and dances. "The Lara Brothers" are the pure ambassadors of Trinidad's Christmas culture.
Over sixty years ago the brothers Tito and Willie and several of their friends founded the group "The Lara Brothers", named after the maiden name of their mother, Lena Lara. Tito and Willie learned traditional Parang folk songs and music from their father Ignacio, who was born in Venezuela.
During Christmas time, from November through January 6th, "The Lara Brothers" celebrate the Parang tradition and move from house-to-house in the rural community – often joined by friends and neighbors to play, sing, dance, eat and drink. The lead singers Tito and Willie Lara tell stories in adulterated Spanish about the annunciation, nativity of Jesus Christ, Maria, the morning star, flight into Egypt and events of their daily life. Parang is associated with Christmas festivities. The host family greets the parranderos with drinks and food [pastelles, arepas, wild meat, roast pork, sorrel, rum and ginger beer]. And "The Lara Brothers" dedicate songs to the host and everybody plays and eats and drinks and dances until the next morning. All enjoy a great Christmas "Lime".
Today modern technology, synthesizers and drum machines influence the development of Parang. The origin of Parang dates back to the Spanish colonists who ruled Trinidad from 1498-1797. It continued to flourish after the British took over the island with African and French creole influences in addition to constant interaction between the people of Trinidad and those of Venezuela [The Spanish Main] where a similar art form was developed in parallel. Parang has its origin from the Spanish word "parranda" which means "the action of merry making, group of serenaders". One day the old tradition to move from house-to-house might fall into desuetude. However "The Lara Brothers" are musical ambassadors of this wonderful tradition and play true Parang. Tito and Willie Lara lead one of the most known and most popular Parang bands of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Lara BrothersThis family of four brothers – Antonio, Tito, Willie, Victor – started singing in Caura with their father, lgnacio Monastero, in the 1940’s. Ignacio was Venezuelan and only spoke Spanish. As he got old and left the band they took the maiden name of their mother, Lena Lara, and became the "Lara Brothers". Today Tito and Willie lead the group and welcome newcomers. Andrew La Fortune, originally from Moruga, asked one day to join. He is one of the best parang guitarists and plays the mandolin as well. Irvine Antoine also from Santa Cruz, joined the band, in the very early days when he was just 16 years of age. And so others have been recruited by the band, including many of Tito’s sons, two of whom, Carlos and Daniel, are still with them.
The Lara Brothers were founding members of the National Parang Association in 1958 and are determined to stay with traditional instruments and the lovely singing that celebrates the birth of Christ and the festive hospitality of rural Trinidad. They are one of the most enduring and popular of all parang bands in Trinidad.
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