M USIC FROM M EXICO 6 th Grade Lesson Mrs. Serres

F ACTS ABOUT M EXICO  Mexico, officially the United Mexican States  Capital : Mexico City  Currency: Mexican peso  President : Enrique Peña Nieto  Official language : Spanish  Government : Federal republic, Presidential system  Population: 114,793,341 (2011) Mayan ruin Chichenitza

O LMEC C IVILIZATION The first civilization to evolve in Mesoamerica was that of the Olmecs, around 1500 B.C. They possibly came from Africa. They built huge religious stone emblems of their gods and rulers. Some were more than nine feet tall, and weighed more than 40 tons. They transported these emblems miles across the terrain without the use of wheels or the aid of animals. They were expert farmers and had a sophisticated Market place system. Archeologists are not sure what led to the decline of the Olmec civilization.

Olmec

A NCIENT C ULTURES - A ZTEC The Aztecs were a wandering tribe that settled on the swampy shores of Lake Texcoco around 1300 BC. They built canoes, created floating gardens for growing food and filled in the marshes to create more land. After they settled in, they began to conquer the neighboring tribes. Each conquered tribe had to pay tribute to the Aztecs in the form of food, clothing, jewels, and of course, captives to feed the hungry gods. That made the Aztecs very happy and very rich. In 1500 ACE Spanish explores arrived and were amazed at the empire the Aztecs had created.

A ZTEC C ULTURE CONTINUED The Spanish had come to Mexico to conquer and take over the country for the Spanish Empire. The Spanish brought guns, horses, huge fighting dogs, and disease. Because the Aztecs were such fierce warriors, they might have had a slim chance of survival against guns and horses and huge fighting dogs. But they had no defense against disease. They had never been exposed to childhood diseases like measles. Many became ill once the Spanish arrived; many died. By the late 1500’s the Aztec empire was extinguished

T HE M AYAN ’ S 400 BCE, a new people suddenly appeared, the Maya. No one knows where they came from, but they arrived with amazing skills. They were an advanced civilization. They soon took over the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America. Their system of mathematics was among the most sophisticated in the ancient world. Like the ancient Romans, the Mayas were master builders. Around 900 CE, the Maya cities were abandoned and no one seems to know why. Archeologists continue to look for clues in Mayan ruins to find out what happened to the Mayan people

The Mayan Civilization

Q UIJADA  Made the jawbone of a donkey  The musician strikes the large end with their palm so the teeth rattle, or scrapes the teeth with a stick

T EPONAZTLI D RUM ( ANCIENT A ZTECS )  Made from a hollowed out tree trunk with two slits cut into the side.  It is played with two mallets.  This drum was used for special ceremonies

G UITARRA C ONCHERA Small guitar made from the shell of an Armadillo. Used for Concheros Dance Songs and ceremonies

M ARIACHI Originated in the state of Jalisco in the late 1800’s Features two violins, guitar, vihuela, guitarron and trumpets Often times a singer may join the band for certain songs Trumpets and violins play the melody Guitar, vihuela, guitarron play the rhythm Dance music, lively rhythms and melodies Style can vary slightly from region to region in Mexico

M ARIACHI I NSTRUMENTS

M ARIACHI COSTUME M EXICAN C HARROS OUTFIT

I NFLUENCES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES Germany –Contributed the Accordion, Tuba & Trumpet Spain – Guitar & Violin Africa – Marimba (like a xylophone but made of wood)

M ODERN S TYLES OF M EXICAN M USIC Son Jarocho (song style of Veracruz) – songs like “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens Banda – style that uses a lot of brass instruments like tuba, trumpets and trombones – Songs like “Inolvidable” by Jenni Rivera Rock en Espanol – A combination of American rock and Spanish instruments and influences; modern performers like Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Inglesias, Selena Gomez Tejano – “Amore Prohibido” by Selena Perez

S ON J AROCHO M USIC “L A B AMBA ”

C INCO D E M AYO Commemorates the battle at Puebla where a small group of Mexicans defeated a well trained French Army Des Colores is a song traditionally sung at Cinco de Mayo celebrations Celebrated with parades, parties, food, dancing, concerts and fun! Celebrated more in the United States then in Mexico

“D E C OLORES ” C INCO D E M AYO S ONG

M EXICAN I NDEPENDENCE DAY Celebrated on September 16! The song “Viva Mexico” is traditionally sung during independence day celebrations

“V IVA M EXICO ” (M EXICAN I NDEPENDENCE D AY S ONG )

“L AS M ANANITAS ” S ONG SUNG ON A PERSON ’ S BIRTHDAY

F AMOUS M EXICAN M USICIANS Taboo From Black Eyed Peas Selena Gomez Richie Valens Jenni Rivera Selena Perez Freddy Fender Carlos Santana Mexican & Native American