Sophia's sketch for one of the three giant paranda puppets

As in Italy, the feast of Epiphany, celebrating the arrival of the Three Magi in Bethlehem, eclipses the secular New Year as important marker for the new year. Epiphany is celebrated in many Latino cultures with the Paranda, 3 days of raucous celebration, during which musicians wander from house to house at all hours of the day and night. Playing the traditional instruments such as the quatro, guiro, tambourine, and accordian, the band of paranderos grows as those roused from their sleep join them on their revels. During this time, one may see altars to the Three Kings in some households, an interesting parallel to the wanderings of the paranderos and their gift of music.

We embodied this tradition through the creation of a trio of giant puppet Paranderos, who danced their way along the route of the First Night Procession, stopping to serenade passers-by with their traditional instruments.