Mexican Arts & Music
A short tour of the art history of Mexico.
Traditional Arts of Mexico
Mexico’s art history is older than its ancient civilizations. Cave paintings in Baja California, dated to about 7,500 years ago, are among the oldest art of the Americas. Early cultures like the Olmecs and the Maya mastered the arts of mural painting, stone-carving, and ceramics. The later Aztecs inherited their skills, specializing also in weaving and featherwork. After the Spanish Conquest, several priests recorded Aztec arts, writing, and customs in books called codices. European influence began through formal landscape paintings and portraits. These arts grew into a rich tradition of paintings and murals in uniquely Mexican styles. The early 20th century, a time of liberal reforms and social conflict, proved especially inspirational. Artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo found audiences both at home and abroad.
Music and Dance of Mexico
The music of Mexico is just as central to its culture. Musicians were a professional class of the Aztec Empire. Besides casual songs played for the public, music also held a sacred role in Aztec society. Wealthy nobles supported musicians and poets in their own homes. They prized poetic verse and clever word-play above all. These bands played in public squares at the start of every month. Their songs told stories of gods and kings and were thought to have spiritual powers of their own. Musicians played warriors into battle, greeted harvests, and accompanied feasts. They did so using clay flutes, drums, rattles, bells, and shell horns, among other instruments. Beyond the Aztec courts, a wide variety of Amerindian cultures possessed their own musical traditions.
The Spanish Conquest of Mexico did not wipe out its earlier musical traditions. Instead, it introduced indigenous musicians to new instruments and styles. African slaves and their free descendants also played a role in this development. As the many cultures of New Spain mixed and changed, their musical tastes adapted as well. Mexican folk music as a broad genre is called son. The various regions of Mexico each claim their own unique styles within son. Mariachi bands, playing the most famous type of Mexican music, typically use violins, guitars, trumpets, and acoustic bass. Many dances arose alongside these songs, most notably the jarabe Tapatio.
Modern Arts of Mexico
Modern Mexico is still home to a bustling arts and music scene. New styles and genres continue to grow alongside older customs. Besides a steady market for traditional son music, Mexican musicians are known for their contributions to genres like pop, rap, rock, and electronica. Citizens also commonly enjoy music from the United States or other Latin countries. Murals, street art, painting, and sculpture are all common forms of visual arts. Additionally, Mexico possesses a long tradition of poets, novelists, and literary writers.
References
Aguilar-Moreno, Manuel. Handbook to Life in the Aztec World. Oxford University Press. 2006.
Beezley, William. The Oxford History of Mexico. Oxford University Press. 2010.
Foster, Lynn. Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World. Oxford University Press. 2002.
Koch, Peter. The Aztecs, the Conquistadors, and the Making of Mexican Culture. McFarland & Co. 2006.
Long-Solis, Janet and Luis Alberto Vargas. Food Culture in Mexico. Greenwood Press. 2005.
Ruiz, Ramon Eduardo. Triumphs and Tragedy: A History of the Mexican People. W. W. Norton & Company. 1993.
“The World Factbook: Mexico.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 7 June 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mx.html.
About TOTA
TOTA.world provides cultural information and sharing across the world to help you explore your Family’s Cultural History and create deep connections with the lives and cultures of your ancestors.
