QUEEN OF PARANG
By Louis B. Homer, historian, Trinidad and Tobago
(from the July-December 1991 issue of
Caricom Perspective
published by the Caricom Secretariat)
Reproduced on Silvertorch with permission
Daisy Voisin was a deeply religious and devoted person to La Divina Pastora (The Virgin Mary of Siparia). Siparia is a rural district in the south of Trinidad. When she ended her mortal reign on August 7, 1991, she was returned to the same church where she had received a message eighteen years ago. The message was to spread the Gospel of Parang through the world.
Born at Carapal, Erin on 23 September 1924, she
was the youngest of six daughters born to Juliana and Mathias Voisin.
Juliana, her mother, came from Tocopito, Venezuela. Mathias, her father,
was of French origin and he came from Arima.
It was from her humble home at Coora Road, Siparia
that Daisy began laying the foundation for her parang throne. Her interest
in parang can be traced
to her parandero stepfather and later to the Siparia Village
Council where she was a chorus singer and musician in the 1960s.
In 1968 she joined the Siparia Village Council and
sang with the Siparia Chorale, Fyzabad Choir and the Morne Diablo
Group.
Her claim to fame came in 1971, when she replaced,
because of illness, the lead singer of the Siparia Chorale in the Best
Village competition. After that performance there was no turning back
for Daisy. She proved, in the years that followed, to be the undisputed
Queen of Parang.
As a leading cultural personality she became a
household name not only in Trinidad and Tobago but throughout the West
Indies where her group, La Divina Pastora Serenaders, performed to large
audiences. In 1982 she received the Parang Association’s highest award,
a gold medal. This was followed in 1988 with a National Humming Bird
Silver Medal by the Government and one National Parang Association of
Trinidad and Tobago Gold Medal for her contribution to parang.
To see Daisy on stage was an exciting cultural
experience. She was explosive, vivacious and tempestuous. She enjoyed
every moment on stage. The fame of Daisy and the La Divina Pastora group
took them as cultural ambassadors on missions throughout the Caribbean,
Margarita, Venezuela and North America.
She had created such an impact with her performances
that she became the most sought-after parang voice in the nation. Her
compositions include Sereno Sereno;
Daisy Voisin; Daisy, Daisy, Daisy; El Nacimiento de las Verdad and the
very popular Alegria, Alegria. She
recalled that her most memorable occasion was when she sang “La
Historia Trinitaria” for former Venezuelan Ambassador to Trinidad,
José Echevaria.
Although a talented musician and singer, she never
allowed popularity to get to her head. She was simple, yet sophisticated.
Her voice had a rich tone which provided auditory excitement. Her tunes
were always up-tempo, emotive and dramatic. The peak of excitement was
reached with her customary expression “Aiyee”.
In 1990, she made her last trip to New York. She died
on 7 August 1991.
As a true exponent of the art of parang, she was
truly the Queen of Parang. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen!
Daisy came into the association, she had been a
vibrant, authentic parang singer. Her lyrics always reflected something
about Christ and religious thoughts. Her melodious voice, her charm when
she swung that bouquet three times in the air before she began her
performances, held her audience spellbound. She was an ideal parandera.
She entered this country’s Hall of Fame and national tribute should be
paid to her in some form, whether it be a statue in Siparia or
whatever.
Parang
Parang was introduced in Trinidad by the Spaniards
during their occupation (1498-1797). Regarded as a classical Christmas
music, it comprises Spanish lyrics, Venezuelan music and Trinidadian
rhythm. This combination has
produced, over the years, a traditional flavour to our Christmas celebrations, without which
Christmas in Trinidad will not be the same.
The word PARANG represents as adulteration of the
Spanish word PARRANDA. It depicts music, musical instruments or dances. It
also means to wander without a fixed destination.
Parrandoros are those who participate in the celebrations. They live in
the agricultural districts of north and south of Trinidad. But so
effective are their presentations that during the parang season
(mid-October to January) they penetrate, stimulate and satisfy the
cultural hunger of the masses, regardless of race, colour or status.
Parang is one of the brightest colours in the
cultural rainbow of Trinidad. The singing, dancing and other movements
which are associated with parang are completed with traditional
instruments like the guitar, cuatro, maracas and mandolin. Within recent
years, new instruments were introduced. They include the violin, box base
and flute.
Parang music consists of aquinaldo or serenal. This is sung on arrival at a home. It is followed by the guarapo. The manzanare is sung at Christmas time.