Spanish Heritage Influence in Trinidad & Tobago

The Spanish has influenced our culture in many ways, it is reflected in our
music, song, dance and even food. At Christmas time, we play parang
music and eat a lot of pastelles. We dance the Castillian Waltz, all of which
have come from our Spanish Heritage.

The word parang is neither Spanish nor English, it actually comes from the
word parranda, meaning 'out parting'. In fact the word parrandero that we
use to describe parang revellers is a real Spanish word which means 'party
lover'

Music and dance go together, the Castillian Waltz is a slow, stately Spanish
Dance that is popular during Christmas season in Trinidad and Tobago. It is
a tradition in parang music and is normally danced by senior citizens.

Another dance introduced by the Spanish is the Maypole. When the music
begins, normally provided by cuatros, guitars, maracas, and singing in
Spanish, the children start dancing. As they dance, they move in and out
around each other and around a pole. They end up with a neatly plaited
ribbon covering the entire pole.

The Roman Catholic religion is also influenced by our Spanish Heritage.

The Veloria de Cruz is a religious tradition in Trinidad & Tobago that was
introduced by the Spanish. It is actually a prayer and praise session devoted
to a particular saint.

Another area where the Hispanics left their mark is food. Popular foods like,
carambola, sapadilla, granadilla, cassava bread, sancocho or sancoche, and
pastelles all have a Hispanic history.

Spanish people, who were one of the original inhabitants of our country, left
us a lot more than Spanish surnames, they left us a beautiful culture with
many parts that are Hispanic.