SOUNDS of MEXICO

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SOUNDS of MEXICO

• Music of warriors, priests and poets

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CORE CONTENT

• 6th Grade
• AH-06-3.1.1 Students will identify or explain how
  music fulfills a variety of purposes.
• AH-06-2.1.1 Students sill analyze or explain how
  diverse cultures and time periods are reflected
  in music.Spanish influence on Mexican music.

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Nahua People

• The Aztec spoke the language, Nahua, and called
  themselves the Mexica before the Spanish arrived
  in the 1500s. They were one of MANY Native
  groups in Mexico.

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• Music was an important part of their
  liveseveryday.
• They did not play instruments and sing to show
  off their talent or how good they were. They did
  not sing to entertain an audience or even to
  sound beautiful.
• To the Mexica, music was spiritual. They sang to
  appease their gods.

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• Religon was tied into EVERYTHING the Aztecs did
  and music was a part of religion.
• Dances and music were ALWAYS a part of their
  religious ceremonies.
• Now even though it was hard for the Spaniards to
  understand the purpose of music, they did
  understand the importance of religion. Their
  religion was also a part of their lives and all
  they did.

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• It was even a part of their quest for RICHES and
  FAME.

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Spaniards Change the Sound

• While the Spaniards took MANY things from the
  Aztecs they also gave them something The
  Guitar.

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SPANISH MUSIC.

• Had developed over the centuries in southern
  Europe and had been HEAVILY influenced by the
  Moors.
• The MOORS came from the MIDDLE EAST and where
  followers of Islam.
• At one time the Moors conquered Spain for many
  years. Until the Spanish took their country back.
• Although Moorish control of the country was gone
  their influences were not.

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• Flamenco Guitar and dancing are believed to have
  Moorish origins.

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• The building designs of Spain are very similar to
  Moorish designs and other Muslim structures.
• After overthrowing the Moors, Spain became a
  Catholic country and tried to make the New World
  Catholic, too.

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• It is uncertain whether the Aztecs had stringed
  instruments before the Spaniards came, but when
  the sound of the Spanish guitar blended with the
  traditional music of the Aztecs, it created a
  unique soundthe sound of Mexico.

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AZTEC INSTRUMENTS

• To view Aztec instruments try this website.
• The writing is NOT in English, but I think you
  will enjoy looking at the instruments.
• http//www.liceoberchet.it/ricerche/geo5d_04/Ameri
  ca_Centrale/messico/strumnti_tradizionali.html

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Listen to the sounds of MEXICA

• http//mexico.udg.mx/historia/precolombinas/ingles
  /Azteca/musicanahua.html
• http//www.mexicolore.co.uk/index.php?oneazttwo
  mus
• Both these sites are wonderful places to learn
  about Aztec music.

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• The Spaniards introduced African slaves into
  Mexico after establishing colonies.

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• These Africans brought their music with them,
  too.
• So, the unique sound of Mexican music was spiced
  with the sounds of Africa.

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TODAY

• Mexican music is a blend of the music of the
  Native Peoples of that land and.
• The sounds of Spainand
• The sounds of Africaand
• The sounds of the Middle East.
• Latina Music is popular throughout the world!