Mexican Folk Music - A Primer to Appreciating Mexican Folk Music

When someone mentions the words, "Mexican music," a dark-skinned, large moustached, round-bellied man, wearing a big hat and strumming a guitar, usually comes to mind. And, nearly everyone calls him a "mariachi." The truth is that Mexican folk music is as diverse as there are regions and states in Mexico. Mexican music cannot be stereotyped.

Indigenous Music

There are many indigenous people in Mexico, just like there are throughout the United States and most countries around the world. The indigenous music of Mexico emerges from diverse tribes, such as the Purepecha of Michoacan, the Huichol of Nayarit, the Yaqui of Sonora, and the Lancandon of Chipas. True indigenous music is not intended to be played outside the tribe. Those select songs which have been played for non-indigenous audiences are highly sought after by ethnomusicologist because they give insight into the culture and mores of the indigenous people.

Mestizo Music: Regional, National, and Period

Folk music which emerged from the comingling of the Spanish, Indian, African, and other races has its own unique appeal. This "traditional" folk music is most commonly classified as "regional" music or "musica regional," because it reflects the local traditions and customs of the people. Whether it is a "Maria Chuchena" or "Balaju" from the state of Veracruz, or a "Jarabe Mixteco" from the state of Chiapas, traditional music is played by instruments native to the region that it came from.

"National" music is also a type of folk music which has come to represent the country as a whole. For example, the well known folk song of the "Jarabe Tapatio," from the state of Jalisco, is known worldwide as Mexico's national dance. "La Bamba" from the state of Veracruz, and "Las Chiapanecas" from the state of Chiapas are often played as representative of the beauty, grace, and culture of the Mexican people.

Another type of Mestizo music is "Period" music. During the Mexican Revolution, mercenaries were hired to lend aid during the war and they introduced polkas around the campfires. These polkas can be heard today in folk music primarily from northern states which border the United States. Other "period" folk songs emerged during the Spanish and French occupations of Mexico.

Learning about the diverse origins of Mexican folk music can truly enhance one's listening pleasure. The more that is learned about it, the easier it is to see how Mexican folk music is, in fact, world music.

Diana Hinojosa DeLugan was a Mexican folk singer, dancer, and dance instructor for over 25 years. She performed across the United States with "Los Pregoneros del Puerto," led by National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow Jose Gutierrez; and in a trio with her father, Mexican folk musician Fidencio "El Jarocho" Hinojosa. Her new book entitled "Folk Songs of Mexico: Canciones Memorables de Mexico," containing Mexican song lyrics, is set to publish in late 2010 and will be available through Amazon.com.