Untitled Christmas Poster, by Rafael Tufino. National Museum of American History.
What is Trulla Navideña, why is it important, and where is it practiced?
30+ minutes
Three Kings Day, Wandering Musicians Carry a Primitive Creche From House to House and Sing for Pennies, In a Student's Boarding House, Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico, photo by Edwin Rosskam. Library of Congress.
Puerto Ricans love to boast about having the longest Christmas season in the world!
Programa de Navidad, by Antonio Maldonado. National Museum of American History.
Several important parties follow Christmas Day:
This six-week-long "Christmas" fiesta is a chance for throwing parties, making promesas (resolutions), exchanging gifts, and performing trulla.
What is trulla?
Puerto Rico, Tres Reyes, photo by Ard Hesselink. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, via Flickr.
The trulla is one of Puerto Rico’s most cherished Christmas traditions:
Con Carlos y las Trullas, by Rafael Rivera Garcia. National Museum of American History.
Trullas are also sometimes referred to as parranda or asalto navideño.
Those inside the house wake up to the sound of music and merriment, and typically respond by sharing food and drinks and joining the trulla as it heads to the next home.
Importantly, parranda/trulla/asalto navideño can be understood as a complex practice that creates social bonds and collective identity through partying, singing, eating and drinking.
When my mom was growing up, no one was safe from a late-night asalto throughout these six weeks of celebration. Several times during the never-ending holiday, family and friends—usually a cross-generational group—would grab a guitar, pile into cars, drive to a sleeping friend’s house, bang on the door, and start singing songs about roast pork and waking people up to dance. (This is not an exaggeration. One song titled "Pobre Lechón" is a jaunty song expressing remorse for a poor pig that was roasted) . . .
In her 2015 article "Ábranme la Puerta" (Open the Door), Cecilia Peterson describes a Puerto Rican asalto scene:
Lechón Asado, photo by Dr. Ronaldo Emmanuelli-Jiménez, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, via Flickr.
Watch a Christmas assault through the streets of the Bronx (NYC).
Puerto Rican Parranda Through the Streets of the Bronx, uploaded by Welcome2TheBronx.
What instruments do you notice?
The most common instruments used in a trulla are percussion: Güiro, cowbell, maracas, and panderos (i.e., pleneras): They are easy to carry!
Güiro
Maracas
LP Cowbell
Bomba Drum
Pandero
All items by unknown makers, except Pandero, by Jesus Cepeda. National Museum of American History.
The bordonúa, cuatro, and tiple are guitar-like instruments and are together known as the Puerto Rican orquesta jíbara (jíbaro orchestra).
All images from the National Museum of American History.
Tiple, unknown maker.
Tiple, unknown maker.
Click on the cuatro image to see a video example!
Bordonúa, by Rafael Avilés Vázquez.
Sometimes, trulla groups include chordophones such as the bordonúa, tiple, guitar, and cuatro (Puerto Rico's national instrument).
Aguinaldos and villancicos are the songs that trulla groups perform.
These song forms are often compared to Christmas carols—although they are not exclusive to the Christmas season.
Carolers, by Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
A trulla / parranda is essentially an aguinaldo / villancico choir—with or without instrumentalists.
Trullas are commonly associated with rural life traditions, specifically música jíbara.
Programa de Navidad 1977, by Jose M. Contreras. National Museum of American History.
What does the use of call and response form and instruments like güiro and guitar, tell us about the musical heritage of this tradition?
"Si escuchas un ruido, guitarra y tambora, es una parranda levántate ahora"
(If you hear noise, guitars, and drums, it’s a parranda; get up now)
Watch another example, this time from Puerto Rico. Listen for the "call" and especially, the "response":
Parranda, Trulla y Asalto de Navidad en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, uploaded by Canal de YouTube Conociendo a Puerto Rico.
Sing and clap along to the refrain:
"Si escuchas un ruido, guitarra y tambora, es una parranda levántate ahora"
(If you hear noise, guitars, and drums, it’s a parranda; get up now)
Watch "Parranda, Trulla y Asalto de Navidad en Mayagüez" once more!
Trulla songs can be performed in a variety of ways. Remember:
The main ingredient of trulla is joy and a good disposition to wander endlessly from house to house.
Listen to "Trulla de Navidad".
(Someone hasn't come with this Christmas crowd. Perhaps next year, he'll get nothing at all.)
Alguien no ha venido con esta multitud navideña.
no obtendrá nada en el nuevo año.
Refrain:
Lyrics/Translation (Refrain):
Alguien no ha venido con esta multitud navideña.
no obtendrá nada en el nuevo año.
(Someone hasn't come with this Christmas crowd. Perhaps next year, he'll get nothing at all.)
How will you participate?
Sing the response? Be the leader (learn the calls)? Clap the steady beat (or play it on an instrument)? Make up your own rhythm pattern? Play the chords?
Refrain:
Alguien no ha venido con esta multitud navideña.
no obtendrá nada en el nuevo año.
(Someone hasn't come with this Christmas crowd. Perhaps next year, he'll get nothing at all.)
Verse 1:
Verse 2:
Verse 3:
(Joyfully we come, My beloved friends, Singing to wish you A Happy New Year.)
(Oh noble sirs, hasten To hold up the lamp, And you will see That the New Year comes.)
(Go to the kitchen now And light up the fire. Prepare a fine hen, For this occasion.)
Take your show on the road!
Like many other musical and cultural traditions, trulla has changed over time, and impromptu performances are not as common as they once were.
Holiday Parade by Gibaro de Puerto Rico - About to Begin, video by Smithsonian Latino Center Mobile Outreach.
30+ minutes
Puerto Rican Music in Hawai'i, cover art by Daphne Shuttleworth. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
In 1900, approximately five thousand Puerto Ricans (men, women, and children) came to Hawai'i contracted as plantation laborers.
Watch this short video to learn more.
Puertorriqueños en Hawaii, uploaded by NuestroCuatro.
The term “diaspora” refers to social groups that have scattered voluntarily or forcibly away from their original geographic locale.
Although historically the term referred to the forced mass dispersion of Jews around the globe, “diaspora” is now used broadly to represent any national, ethnic, or cultural group people who strongly identify with a homeland (e.g., Puerto Rico), but live outside of it (e.g., Hawai'i).
When they arrived, Puerto Ricans settled on Oahu, Kaua’i, Maui, and Hawai'i (i.e. The Big Island).
Hawaii (Reference Map), Portion of "The National Atlas of the United States of America. General Reference," by the U.S. Geological Survey. University of Texas Libraries.
In the early 1900s, Puerto Ricans lived on plantations in isolation, in camps exclusively comprised of Puerto Ricans.
In what ways do you think plantation life in Hawai'i shaped Puerto Rican musical culture?
New identities are formed in diaspora, reinterpreting and fusing cultural elements from home (e.g., Puerto Rico) and the host nation (e.g., Hawai'i).
Sometimes, they aim to represent musical expressions as they were originally created and performed, rather than desiring change and embracing innovation.
Diasporic communities are sometimes preoccupied with perceptions of “authenticity” and go to great lengths to preserve, maintain, and transmit musical traditions and customs.
It is important to remember that until the mid 1900s, there was little direct contact between Puerto Ricans in Hawai’i and those that remained in the homeland.
This reality resulted in the preservation and modification of older musical styles and forms that are not very common in Puerto Rico today.
The "style" of Puerto Rican music in Hawai'i can be traced to rural, jibaro communities.
Man in a Sugar Cane Field During Harvest, Puerto Rico 1942, photo by Jack Delano. Library of Congress.
Life on plantations was tough, and one of the few diversions was a weekly Saturday night communal dance.
At these events, people would play their interpretations of early Puerto Rican musical styles, such as vals (waltz), guaracha (a salsa-like style), plena, bomba, polka, mazurka, and sometimes danza (in a greatly altered form).
"La Gallina," by Charles Figueroa and August, Virginia, and Wayne Rodrigues
What type of music is this?
How do you know?
What is interesting about the instrumentation?
Top right: George Ayala (Cuatro). Bottom right: Charlie Figueroa (Accordion), photos by Ted Solís. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Above: Puerto Rican Güiro, unknown maker. National Museum of American History.
Puerto Rican musicians in Hawai'i formed conjuntos (i.e., ensembles) to play their music.
"Vals," by George Ayala, Bonaventura Torres, and Leroy Joseph Pinero
The quick-tempo dance music played by Hawaiian Puerto Ricans became known as kachi-kachi music.
In Japanese, the word kachi means scratch. According to some accounts, Japanese plantation workers who worked alongside Puerto Ricans in Hawai'i thought this music (the güiro in particular) sounded "scratchy". They began calling it kachi-kachi music—and the name stuck.
Japanese Workers Loading Sugar Cane on Carts, Hawaii in 1917, unknown photographer. Library of Congress.
After WWII (1939–1945), Puerto Rican servicemen introduced two members of the membranophone family to the ensemble, bongos and conga drums.
In the mid-1970s, the electric bass guitar was added to the ensemble and has since become a standard member of the “trio.”
What type of music is this?
How do you know?
"Ay Mamá, Que Voy a Hacer," performed by Mi Gente
What instruments do you hear?
"Seis," by Julio Rodriguez, Tommy Valentine, Johnny Lopez, Glenn Ferreira, Sam Mercado, and Eddy Hosino
The Christmas season has always been very important to Puerto Rican diasporic communities, and the trulla (i.e., parranda; asalto navideño), is one of the most pervasive of all Puerto Rican Christmas traditions.
"Asalto Navideño," performed by Los Caminantes
What is this song about? Where do you think this is being performed?
In Hawai'i, Christmas music is a very important part of the repertoire kachi-kachi conjuntos play.
Carolers, by Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
The trulla is one of Puerto Rico’s most cherished Christmas traditions:
Con Carlos y las Trullas, by Rafael Rivera Garcia. National Museum of American History.
Listen again:
"Asalto Navideño," performed by Los Caminantes
What type of music do you think this is?
How do you know?
What instruments do you hear?
Los Tres Magos, by The Caban Group. National Museum of American History.
Celebrated yearly on January 6th (part of Christmas Season), Epiphany is arguably the most important fiesta for the local Puerto Rican community in Hawai'i.
Left: Los Tres Reyes Magos, by the Rivera Group. National Museum of American History.
This fiesta is held in adoration of the Three Magi (Three Wise Men) who, according to Christian lore, presented the new-born Jesus with offerings of myrrh, gold, and frankincense.
For Día de Reyes on January 6th, Puerto Rican festivals typically involve Catholic mass and outdoor celebrations, food, and music.
"Excerpt from Epiphany Service," performed by Father Roberto de Oter0o, Seminarian Refugio Sanchex, and Patrons of Saint Theresa's Catholic Church in Kalihi, HI
Adoracíon de los Reyes Magos, by El Greco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Museo Soumaya and Wikimedia Commons.
In addition to the Christmas season and other religious occasions, there are many secular opportunities for the performance of kachi-kachi music in Hawai'i throughout the year.
This seis jam was recorded at a baseball game in Hawai'i in the 1980s.
One example is the Puerto Rican softball league, which is held on Sundays from January through April.
Informal kachi-kachi jam sessions take place during, between, and after the games.
Puerto Rican Festival Baseball Game, by Tom Rankin. Library of Congress.
There is a modest legacy of communal dance that remains a part of social life in Hawaiian Puerto Rican communities today, especially in Honolulu.
However, this tradition is in danger of being lost, since younger generations (with a few exceptions) show little interest in traditional Puerto Rican musical forms.
Here are two Hawaiian musicians with Puerto Rican heritage that you might recognize!
Bruno Mars (born Peter Gene Hernandez) began his career performing in his family's band in Honolulu. Today, he is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Auliʻi Cravalho starred in Disney's Moana in 2016. She talks about growing up on the Big Island surrounded by kachi-kachi music!
Create a kachi-kachi and/or trulla-inspired "pep" song to cheer for your school team(s)! Consider these ideas:
We are the mighty Tigers, levántate and cheer!
We are the mighty Tigers, levántate and cheer!
We are proud, so let's get loud. The Tigers are here!
An example:
20+ minutes
¡Parranda! Venezuelan Carnival Music, cover art by Galen Lawson. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
The Puerto Rican trulla tradition has had great impact in numerous cultures of the circum-Caribbean.
Caribbean (Political), map by U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. University of Texas Libraries.
The trulla is one of Puerto Rico’s most cherished Christmas traditions:
Con Carlos y las Trullas, by Rafael Rivera Garcia. National Museum of American History.
Outside of Puerto Rico, trulla is often known by its other name: Parranda.
Venezuela is one example of a location that has a rich parranda tradition.
Parang is the Trinidadian version of trulla practice, which emerged as an influence of Venezuela parranda.
Listen to the embedded audio recording as you think about these questions:
How would you describe the sounds?
What images come to mind?
What is the purpose and use of this music?
The song you just listened to is called "Potpurrí Sabor a Navidad" (A Taste of Christmas)—this medley featured four songs that have become classics of Venezuela’s Christmas celebrations.
Christmas, Christmas Celebration, by Marius Iordache. CC0, via Pixnio.
Christmas festivities in Venezuela often feature the performance of festive songs that celebrate the birth of Jesus.
South America (Political) and Venezuela (Physiography), by U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. University of Texas Libraries. On both maps, Venezuela is circled in red.
The word parranda is used to describe the music and popular revelry of Carnival festivities and also Christmas festivities and songs.
Did you know? In Venezuela, Carnival is celebrated during the Christmas season.
Left and Right: Venezuelan Carnival Scenes, unknown photographer. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Like Carnival, the history of Venezuelan parranda is tied to the slave trade.
A Venezuelan Carnival Scene, Charlie Weber. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Our exploration of Venezuela parranda focuses on the city of Naiguatá, which is home to one of the country's most celebrated Carnival traditions.
Map of Naiguatá, by Dan Cole. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Güaireños are well known for having a fine sense of humor and a great fondness for parties and traditional music.
Parranda Musicians During a Religious Celebration in Naiguatá, unknown photographer. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Over time, they have fused and created distinct instruments, songs, dances, and attires that represent a unique Venezuelan-Caribbean identity.
"Parranda Callejera (Street Parranda)," performed by La Sardina de Naiguatá
One of the most popular celebrations in Nariguatá is Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine): Carnival's closing ceremony.
Watch this video to learn more.
La Sardina de Naiguatá on the Burial of the Sardine [Interview Video], uploaded by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
The Entierro de la Sardina ceremony inspired the creation of La Sardina de Naiguatá, a local music group founded by in 1970 by Ricardo B. Díaz.
Watch this video and answer the following questions:
Ricardo Benito Diaz of La Sardina de Naiguatá [Interview Video], uploaded by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
Like Puerto Rican trulla, Venezuelan parranda music is often related to, but not exclusive to the Christmas season.
"Pájaro Amarillo (Yellow Bird)," performed by La Sardina de Naiguatá
Some song themes address aspects of daily community life, or depict bucolic scenes (e.g., countryside life).
This song is about a local bird.
Gold Finch, created by MichowwTru, CC0, via openclipart.org.
Watch an excerpt from this video.
What do you hear?
What do you see?
What is the purpose and use of this music?
Daisy Voison & La Divina Pastora - Sereno Sereno, by Visual Art and Production.
Like its Puerto Rican and Venezuelan siblings (trulla and parranda), parang music is central to celebrating "Trini" Christmas season.
The Caribbean, map by U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. University of Texas Libraries.
The history of how musical forms came to be is often complicated, and the exact origins of Trinidadian parang continue to be debated.
Trinidad - Sorting Cocoa Beans on the Plantation, Unknown photographer. Library of Congress.
When they arrived in Trinidad, migrant workers from Venezuela brought with them their own musical practices and over time, developed new ones.
Grand Curucaye, a region near San Juan, is the home of many Venezuelan-Spanish immigrants and their centuries-old Spanish String Orchestra.
Listen to an excerpt of "Parang," recorded by the Grand Curucaye String Band Orchestra of Trinidad in the 1950s.
Members of the Grand Curucaye String Band Orchestra, unknown photographer. Cook Records.
This fusion of African musical traditions and elements with European ones provides an example of a process known as syncretism.
In exchange, they are given pastelles (e.g., tamales) and ponche crema (eggnog).
Much like in Puerto Rico (and Venezuela), there is a tradition in Trinidad of groups of musicians called parranderos paying nocturnal, surprise visits to the homes of family and friends, who are jolted from slumber by the sound of music.
Eventually, the folk music performed in this context became known as parang.
Trinidad and Tobago (Political), map by U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. University of Texas Libraries.
Voces de Promesa, photo by Maria Nunes. Smithsonian Folklife Magazine.
Parranderos use a wide variety of instruments, such as:
Cantando Gloria - Los Alumnos de San Juan. Uploaded by Denzil Lyons.
Audio courtesy of
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Video courtesy of
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Images courtesy of
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
The Arhoolie Foundation
University of Texas at Austin, PCLP Map Collection
National Museum of American History
Library of Congress
Maria Nunes
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For full bibliography and media credits, see Lesson 10 landing page.