The Mystical Sounds of Mayan Music

Currently we all know about the ancient Mayan Calendar, and our 26.000 year cosmic alignment. Yet one of the many great Mayan mysteries is also about the music they played. Which was used to enchant the gods the ancient Maya worshiped. Which many of the latter day descendants of the ancient Maya say spoke directly from the Gods themselves.

Music can be enchanting; it can bring us closer to others and our association with the spiritual World. And the ancient Maya also used music to celebrate, soothe the sick, welcome the gods, and bring the joy of living to their people. Much is not known about pre-Columbian Mayan music, much of the culture was kept by the scattered remains of the habitancy who were once part of this ancient empire, but was destroyed as millions died of epidemics, or were deliberately slaughtered after the Spanish conquest of the Americas. However temple relief's, and the simple instruments the few remaining descendents use today of this ancient empire, are a living testimony to the spiritual music of the Maya.

Musical Instruments Sounds

Drums, whistles, flutes and trumpets played an important part in Mayan life. The "Popol Vuh," the ancient Mayan, "Book of Life." Speaks of the soft, gloomy bright sound of drums as person departs to meet the spirits of the afterlife, and were an critical part of music with the trumpets of triumph at ceremonies, and parties in Mayan culture. The simple bamboo flute, the sound of the Andes, is one instrument that probably originates from this ancient culture. Carried and played by the few descendants of this empire, it has become a musical symbol of Central America.

The ancient Maya were gifted musicians, and this gift has been recorded throughout history. When the remaining "Indians" were "rescued" and "protected" by more liberal members of the Catholic Church in the 17th Century. Great Missions were built, and the "Indians" made and played instruments like the violin, and flute. This impressed the monks, who sold these instruments worldwide, and were amazed by the musical talents these descendants of the Maya processed. Often believing the music they played was a "Miracle of God." Many of these violins were used by some of the great composers, and musicians of this duration in Europe.

Perhaps a visitor to contemporary day Central America, could stumble over the descendants of this great empire, and hear this mystical music. Music today still played at the homes of the now scattered tribes of the Maya, and wonder about the stories that lay in the magical sounds they hear.

The Mystical Sounds of Mayan Music