Aztec culture is very rich and diverse. It abounds in numerous cultural traditions and practices, including music. Indeed, music holds an important place in Aztec culture and has played a primordial role in Aztec civilization. Many myths and legends have been written about the origins of Aztec music, while the practice of music occupied a central place in Aztec society. In this article, we delve into the world of Aztec music and discover the fascinating history of this cultural practice.
1. Historical and cultural background
Before delving into the world of Aztec music, it's worth setting the historical and cultural background to Aztec civilization. The Aztecs are an indigenous people of Mesoamerica. They founded their empire, Tenochtitlán, in 1325, which would later become Mexico City.
Daily life for the Aztecs was steeped in tradition and ritual, including music. Music was present in all aspects of social and cultural life, from religious ceremonies to festivals, and including commercial exchanges. The Aztecs used a number of musical instruments, including the Tlapitzalli (a pan flute), the Huehuetl (a drum with a slit) and the Teponaztli (a drum), among others.
2. Myths and legends about the origins of Aztec music
Aztec culture was steeped in myths and legends. One of these legends tells the story of the creation of music by the Aztec gods . According to legend, two deities, Xochiquetzal (goddess of beauty, of love and fertility) and Xolotl (god of twilight and monsters) created the first musical instruments. They used raw materials such as human skulls, bones, shells, stones, cactus, reeds and bamboo to make the first musical instruments .
Other versions of the myths about the creation of Aztec music involved gods such as Huitzilopochtli and Quetzalcoatl. Each of these versions varied according to the customs of each region or the Aztec tribes.
3. The place of music in Aztec society
Music held a key place in Aztec society, which differed from other Mesoamerican cultures. Indeed, music was considered a symbol of divine power, and played an important role in religious ceremonies. It was also used in weddings, funerals, war ceremonies, trade and celebrations.
Aztec society included a class of professional musicians who specialized in music production. Musicians were called "muexcatl" or "comaqui" and had a privileged status in society. They were officials of the royal court and were frequently invited to play for the entertainment of nobles and foreign dignitaries.
4. The influence of Aztec music on later cultures
The influence of Aztec music has continued to shape modern Mexican culture to the present day. Traditional Mexican music is closely linked to the original Aztec musical practices. We can clearly identify the use of instruments such as the guitar, the trumpet and the guitarrón as being inherited from Aztec music.
However, the influence of Aztec music was not limited to Mexico. Western culture has also been influenced by this ancient music. Bands such as Led Zeppelin have incorporated elements of Aztec music into their music, helping to popularize Mesoamerican music with a Western audience.
5. Conclusion
Aztec music is one of the most important cultural elements of the Aztec civilization. It played a key role in the daily life of the Aztecs, and was considered a symbol of divine power and social status. The myths and legends surrounding the creation of Aztec music are fascinating and give us an idea of the importance attached to this musical practice. It is crucial to preserve this cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations.
Overall, Aztec music has made an immense contribution to Mexican culture and to Western music in general. We can still see its influence through the use of traditional Mexican instruments in modern music. It's important to consider the musical heritage of ancient cultures, and to continue to celebrate and perpetuate them for generations to come.