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Paranda is a rhythm that can be traced back to the origins of the Garifuna. These basic rhythms can be heard in Garifuna traditional drumming patterns, dating back to the seventeenth century, when they were living in peace on the island of St. Vincent, after having been shipwrecked, coming West from Africa. In the 19^th century, after the Garifuna center moved to Honduras, Paranda became a genre in itself, incorporating Latin musical influences, including acoustic guitar and Latin rhythms. Instrumentation includes acoustic guitar, primero and segunda (large wooden drums), shakers, scrapers, and turtle shells. The style has hardly changed since the early 20^th century. Paranda songs are often seen as a way for a Parandero to express feelings or confront problems. In a Garifuna community, when a Parandero has a problem with somebody, they take out their aggression through songs making fun of their adversary. Unfortunately, Paranda seems to be a dying art, as there are just a handful of composers still alive, and very few young musicians practice the style. However, there are some Paranderos keeping the style alive (though often only one or two per village).

Contributed by: Jake Gold