How did mariachi style music originate?

Walk into any Mexican restaurant and you will probably be greeted by musicians wearing wide-brimmed sombrero hats serenading you with their guitars. Do you know that these musicians, known as the mariachi, are part of an ancient musical tradition of Central America? Or that the mariachi was recognized by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2011?

Developed in the Mexican countryside, this form of music can be traced back to hundreds of years.

Whether it is a Quinceanera or a Cinco da Mayo celebration, the mariachi music is played on all special occasions. The music celebrates the joys, struggles, and the triumphs of the Mexican people.

How it evolved

The mariachi is not just a form of music, it encompasses an entire ensemble of music and dance. Varied versions of the mariachi exist in different regions of Central America. The musical form that is popular today took shape in the 19th Century in the state of Jalisco near Guadalajara. In 2011, the mariachi music made it to the UNESCO’s list of ‘intangible cultural heritage.’

Mariachi originated when Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded Mexico in the year 1519. Along with him came professional musicians carrying the harp and the vihuela (a smaller version of the guitar), commonly used in Spanish theatres. Their style of music was influenced by African sounds and was categorized under the mestizo folk music.

Etymology

No one knows how the term mariachi exactly originated. It is widely believed to have derived from the French word ‘mariage’. Mariachi bands would often play at weddings. However, over the years, it was discovered that the word had been in use in Mexico much before the French settled there. According to modern theories, mariachi has come from a native word for a tree whose wood is used to make the instruments and the platforms on which the musicians perform.

The modern mariachi

Mariachi bands today feature at least four musicians along with the violin, guitar, guitarron (a large bass guitar), and vihuela. Modern mariachi bands usually include trumpets and sometimes harps. Members of the band are attired in traditional charro suits with intricate embroidery and embellishments, waist-length jackets, bow ties, fitted pants, and sombreros.

Even today, the mariachi continues to be a huge part of the lives of the Mexican people. The serenata performed by the mariachi, for instance, is a form of communication between a young couple. It is a musical message of love delivered by the mariachi form is the “Las Mananitas”, which is performed during birthdays and days of religious significance. It is traditionally played early in the morning.

Picture Credit : Google

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *