by Zara from Port of Spain asks Santa about Christmas flowers, learns Trinidad and Tobago is a two-island nation, and hears about the parang music tradition
Dear Santa, my name is Zara and I am nine years old. I live in Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, where my granny says our Christmas music sounds completely different from anything I hear on the radio the rest of the year.
Dear Zara, I have heard that music myself while flying past, and it is genuinely one of my favorite Christmas sounds anywhere in the world.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, what are Christmas flowers? My aunty always puts a bright red flower on the table every December and calls it a Christmas flower, but I think it has another name too.
That is very likely the poinsettia, Zara, a bright red plant native to Mexico that became closely linked with Christmas over the past two centuries and is now found on tables all over the world in December, including yours.
My second question is about our country. My teacher says we are actually two separate islands, not just one big one. Is that true?
It is, Zara. Trinidad and Tobago is made up of two main islands, each with its own distinct character, and flying between them by sleigh on Christmas Eve, ocean glittering below, is a lovely short stretch of my Caribbean route.
My third question is about parang. My whole street plays that music with guitars and singing in Spanish, even though most of us speak English at home. Why is that?
Parang is a beloved Trinidadian Christmas tradition, Zara, with roots reaching back to Spanish-speaking settlers, featuring lively guitar music and Spanish lyrics performed by groups moving from house to house. It has become a proud and joyful part of Trinidadian culture regardless of what language people speak the rest of the year, and I always slow the sleigh right down to enjoy a good parang song.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Zara Alexander
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
P.S. Can the elves learn parang for next year?
They are already practicing, Zara. The guitars need a little work still.
