Parrandas (Puerto Rican version of the U.S.Caroling)

♫♫♫♫ ¡Asalto! ¡Te traigo esta trulla pa’ que te levantes! ¡Te traigo esta trulla pa’ que te levantes! ¡Esta trulla esta caliente, esta trulla esta que arde! ♫♫♫♫

This is a long-standing tradition in Puerto Rico.  The parranderos sing aguinaldos Navideños (Puerto Rican Christmas songs) in true camaraderie, and fellowship to celebrate the holidays. The guest (receiving la parranda)  in return will feed them offering sweet treats, and an “asopao” (a hearty soup), and then they are on their way to the next house.  This goes on until the wee hours of the night, sometimes within an hour or two before daybreak visiting different homes.  

In Puerto Rico there are also the “fiestas solemnes” (religious festivals):

• Misas de Aguinaldos
• Nochebuena 12/24
• Misa de Gallo 12/24
• Día de Navidad 12/25
• Despedida de Año 12/31
• Año Nuevo 1/1
• Día de Reyes 1/6
• Las Octavas y Octavitas (8 days following 1/6)

Before I end my post I want to share a very meaningful picture that my sister took of our now 94 yr. old Abuelita. This picture was taken two years ago, and she’s singing a trulla.  She too has been enjoying this tradition for many, many years. She may not go out in the middle of the night to parrandear, but she enjoys it at home with our Mamá and the rest of our extended familia.

A special thank you to my sister and cuñado (brother-in-law) for the pictures and for not missing one parranda in Puerto Rico! ¡Wepa!!!