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Masks played a central role in ancient Maya culture. Mayan ritual masks were vibrant and colorful. These masks represented animals' spirits. Animals were regarded to be representations of human spirits. Jaguars were thought to be associated with a strong ruler. Mayan masks were made from wood, gold, shell, and volcanic rock. Mayans used masks for many reasons: to adorn the faces of ...
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Mayan pottery is a lasting testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic skill of this pre-Hispanic civilization. Mayan pottery offers deep insight into the daily life, beliefs, and artistic expressions of this ancient society. Mayan pottery was an integral part of Mayan society and culture. It served as vessels for food, drink, and offerings in religious rituals, as well as artistic ...
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A colorful expression of Mayan skills and inspiration. Mayan weaving is mostly done by the Mayan women, who after thousands of years continue producing their beautiful and varied items by means of a waist loom. Their skill in weaving has been taught to them generation after generation by their grandmothers and mothers, starting at a very young age. In many of the ...
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Sorry, your browser does not support this audio tag. Mariachi is a musical expression that dates back to at least the 18th century in Western Mexico. It is a tradition that can be defined by eight socio-musical elements: mariachi instrumentation and texture, musical genres and subgenres, performance methods and styles, singing styles and forms, dance styles, performative space, performance clothing, and the ...
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Chinampas are artificial islands built by the Aztecs in the Valley of Mexico. These Aztec floating gardens were constructed on freshwater lakes, including Lake Texcoco, and were used for agricultural purposes. The word "chinampa" comes from the Nahuatl word "chināmitl" ("square made of canes") and the Nahuatl locative, "pan". Spaniards used the word "camellones" ("ridges between the rows") to describe chinampas. Chinampas ...
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Lake Texcoco ("Lago de Texcoco") was a natural lake within the "Anahuac" or Valley of Mexico. The lake was surrounded by marshes and forests, providing a habitat for various species of plants and animals in the area. The lake was also an important source of fresh water for the valley's inhabitants. Lake Texcoco was the largest lake in Mesoamerica, covering an area ...
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What does the word Mexico mean? The word "Mexico" comes from the Nahuatl language, which is the native language of the Aztecs. The name "Mexico" is believed to come from the Aztec word "Mēxihco" ("Mexico"). The Aztecs were actually called Mexica The people commonly referred to as "Aztecs" are more accurately known as "Mexica." The term "Aztec" is a more general term ...
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Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures depicting fantastical creatures. Alebrijes originated in Mexico City in the 20th century, in 1936. The first alebrijes, along with the term itself, originated with Pedro Linares. Pedro Linares was originally from México City, born there on June 29, 1906. Pedro Linares received Mexico's National Arts and Sciences Award in the Popular Arts and Traditions ...
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The Day of the Dead ("Día de Muertos") is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, particularly in the central and southern regions, and by Mexicans living elsewhere, especially in the United States. This holiday is recognized in many cultures and countries and is dedicated to family and friends gathering to pray and remember deceased friends and family members and to help support ...
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La Calavera Catrina ('Dapper Skeleton', 'Elegant Skull') is a 1910–1913 zinc etching by famous Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator, and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada. The image depicts a female skeleton dressed only in a hat befitting the upper-class outfit of a European of her time. She is offered as a satirical portrait of those Mexican natives who were aspiring to adopt European aristocratic ...
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