Table of Contents
- What is a mariachi? 🎶
- Origin and meaning of mariachi? 🎵
- What is a “Charro“? 🤠
- Best places to see and sing with mariachis 🎸
- Recommended mariachi songs and mariachi legends 🎺
- Conclusion (Importance of mariachis in Mexican culture) 🎻
- Informative video 🥁
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What is a mariachi?
Welcome to our mariachis music article! If you have ever traveled to México and seen men in colorful or curious clothes singing songs in a bar, restaurant, or public plaza, you must be wondering, who are they? What is a mariachi? What is mariachi music? Who are some mariachi legends? Which are the best mariachi songs? Well, here is a brief answer. Mariachis are a musical ensemble ranging from three to more men who play traditional Mexican songs and lovely melodies. In fact, their sombreros (hats) are very famous around the world.
Most of the songs are somewhat sad or for ‘dolidos’, which means for someone who got their heart broken. But that is not always the case! Mariachis also sing about life, emotions, feelings, celebrations, romance, and having the best time of your life while enjoying and partying in Mexico. Be sure to have your Tequila or Mezcal shot while listening to mariachis music!
Mariachi music is so important in Mexico that UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 2011. This is the meaning of what mariachis music is according to UNESCO:
“Mariachi is a traditional Mexican music. It is a key part of Mexican culture. Traditional mariachi groups have two or more musicians dressed in regional clothes inspired by the charro outfit. They play a wide range of songs using stringed instruments. Modern mariachi groups have trumpets, violins, vihuelas, and guitarrones. They usually have four or more musicians. Mariachis music includes songs from different parts of Mexico, like jarabes, minués, polkas, valonas, chotis, waltzes, serenades, corridos (Mexican ballads about fights, adventures, and love stories), and traditional rural songs.
Modern mariachi…
has also taken on other music styles and genres like ranchera, bolero ranchero, and even Colombian cumbia. The lyrics of mariachi songs often express love for the land, the hometown, Mexico, religion, nature, Mexican women, and the strength of the country. Mariachis music is mainly learned by ear. Skills are passed down from parents to children and through performances at festivals, both religious and civil. Mariachi music teaches respect for Mexico’s natural heritage, local history, and local culture.”
Origin and meaning of mariachi
A lot of the music and songs, both religious and not religious, from the Middle Ages were because of Catholicism. After the music and songs became popular all over Europe thanks to the troubadours and minstrels, these traditions came to Spain. As you know, Spain conquered Mexico in 1519, and many Franciscan priests then started to spread Christianity in Mexico.
That’s why, in the 16th century, three main rhythms influenced and created this regional music: the sounds of the indigenous people, Europeans, and Africans. But it was the people living in Cocula, Jalisco, who changed the rhythm of the chants the priests used to spread Christianity.
This music became popular among the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, and Guerrero. As you can see, it was very famous in different states of western Mexico, developing a great variety of styles and variations.
That’s why we say the mariachi comes from the beautiful state of Jalisco. Indeed, Jalisco is the home and birthplace of this musical genre. The mariachis music is mixed together with many different styles and variations. The main instruments were guitars, lutes, and violins, along with conch shells, teponaxtle, and reed flutes.
Meaning of the word Mariachi:
The word “mariachi” is very old, but people still don’t agree on where it really comes from. Some believe the word came from French, and others think it comes from Nahuatl, an ancient language spoken by Indigenous people in Mexico. Even now, no one is 100% sure who first used the word or what it originally meant. This has made many people curious, and there are different stories about how the name started.
One theory says that the word “mariachi” came from a French word because of something that happened in the 1800s. During that time, some French soldiers were in Mexico, especially in the state of Jalisco. According to the story, the soldiers saw a group of musicians playing at a wedding and asked what the music was called. Someone answered in French, saying “c’est un mariage,” which means “it’s a wedding.” The soldiers may have misheard this and started calling the music “mariachi.”
Another idea comes from a letter written in 1852 by a priest named Cosme de Santa Anna. He sent this letter to a bishop in the state of Nayarit. In the letter, he used the word “mariachi” to talk about a party with musicians. This might mean that “mariachi” was already being used to talk about this type of music and celebration at that time.
There are also people who believe the word has Indigenous roots. They think it may have come from the Nahuatl language or another native Mexican language. These people say the word could have been used by local groups even before the French came to Mexico. But again, there is no strong proof for this theory either.
Even though we don’t know exactly where the word “mariachi” came from, what matters most is how important it has become in Mexican culture. Today, when we hear the word, we think of beautiful music, colorful clothes, strong voices, and the heart of Mexico. Whether the word came from French, Spanish, or Nahuatl, “mariachi” now means something truly Mexican.
🌴 Want to visit Jalisco and listen to mariachis in their original land? Check out our tours:
- Jalisco Tequila Tour: Adventure in Wonderful Magic Town Tequila (Private / 6h)
- Tequila Jalisco Tour: Explore Guachimontones Ruins and Charming Tequila Town (Private / 6h)
- Tequila Tour Guadalajara: Visit Fantastic Towns and Local Distillery (Group / 8h)
What is a Charro?
The charro is a traditional Mexican cowboy and ranch worker. The charro is an important part of mariachi music. In the early 1900s, the charro’s clothes became linked with mariachi. These clothes include a fancy jacket, tight pants, boots, and a big hat.
Cirilo Marmolejo, a mariachi leader, was the first to use the charro clothes for his group in the 1920s. Soon, this outfit became the normal clothes for mariachi players. The charro clothes made the mariachi music feel proud, traditional, and real. It showed the music’s connection to Mexican culture and country life.
Today, a mariachi group wearing full charro clothes is a famous symbol of Mexico and pride. The mix of mariachi music skills and the charro’s ranch background is a special Mexican tradition. People from all over the world find this cultural expression very interesting and beautiful.
The Evolution of Mariachis:
- In the late 1700s, the guitarrón and Mexican vihuela were created to replace the lute and bass. This gave the mariachi music a more distinctive character.
- During the time of Emperor Maximilian, mariachi was seen as popular music. However, after the Mexican Revolution, it became a symbol of national pride.
- In the 1920s, the mariachi group led by Cirilo Marmolejo started wearing the charro costume, and this style quickly became the norm for mariachi musicians.
- Then, in the 1930s, the same Cirilo Marmolejo was the first to record mariachi music with trumpets, which was the last major innovation for the genre.
Mariachi Diversity:
Mariachi music is not just one kind of music; it includes many different styles and rhythms. Some of the most common ones are sones, corridos, pasodobles, boleros, danzones, and serenades. Each style has its own special feeling and way of telling a story. For example, corridos often talk about heroes or important events, while serenades are romantic songs usually sung to a loved one. These different types of songs make mariachi music rich, colorful, and full of emotion.
Because mariachi includes many styles, it can be played in many different situations. You can hear mariachi music at weddings, birthdays, holidays, and even at more serious events like funerals. Some songs are slow and sad, while others are fast and happy; there’s a mariachi song for almost every mood. That’s why mariachi bands are often invited to play during both happy and emotional times in people’s lives.
Over time, mariachi music has become much more than just entertainment. It has become a strong symbol of Mexican culture and pride. The sound of the trumpets, violins, and singing voices reminds many people of their families, traditions, and roots. When people from other countries hear mariachi music, they often think of Mexico right away, which shows how powerful and special this music is.
Mariachis have also played music for famous people in Mexican history. One example is Lázaro Cárdenas, a respected president of Mexico. He was often seen enjoying mariachi performances. This shows how mariachi is not just for regular parties, it is a respected part of the country’s identity and history, loved by both everyday people and national leaders.
Best places to see and sing with mariachis
Mexico has many great places to see and hear mariachi music. One of the most famous is Garibaldi Plaza in Mexico City. Mariachi bands perform there day and night. The plaza is a center of mariachi activity, with groups in traditional charro outfits playing all different regional styles and classic songs. You can hire a band to play right at their table, letting them fully experience the lively, energetic atmosphere.
Besides Mexico City, other great places to see mariachi include the pretty canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City, and the mariachi-loving city of Guadalajara, which is in the state of Jalisco. In Xochimilco, you can ride on colorful boats called trajineras while listening to mariachi music all around. And in Guadalajara, the modern mariachi’s birthplace, you can see performances downtown or at unique mariachi festivals celebrating this beloved music. No matter where you go in Mexico, you’ll never be far from the captivating sounds of mariachi.
Recommended mariachi songs and mariachi legends
If you want to learn more about the music of the mariachis, you can watch movies from the Mexican Golden Age. There, you will find great Mexican musical references such as Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, and Javier Solis. But let’s get nitty-gritty, here are some musical recommendations:
- No Discutamos – Lucha Villa
- Cucurrucucú Paloma – Lola Beltrán
- Amor Eterno – Rocío Durcal
- ¿Por qué me haces llorar? – Juan Gabriel
- Acá Entre Nos – Vicente Fernández
- La Bikina – Luis Miguel
- Como Quien Pierde Una Estrella – Alejandro Fernández
- Cien Años – Pedro Infante
- Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes – Jorge Negrete
- Media Vuelta – Javier Solis
- El Son De La Negra / Guadalajara – Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
- Cielito Lindo – MARIACHI NUEVO TECALITLÁN
Conclusion
Finally, mariachis are part of the heart and soul of Mexican culture. If you are still wondering what mariachi music is, I hope you can get more context on what they mean in Mexican traditions, culture, and folklore. Mexican music has a fantastic history with many great artists, composers, singers, etc. You can understand the social and cultural context of the country through each verse that is expressed in mariachi songs.
The next time you visit Mexico, don’t forget to appreciate and listen to the mariachi songs and remember how vast and rich Mexico’s traditions are. No matter where you come from, music is universal and part of what makes us happy and accompanies us in difficult moments.
Besides, through music, you can also have another pretext to travel and get to know new cultures and countries. Now you can tell your friends and family: “Hey, how about going to Mexico for a musical tour? The mariachis are waiting for us to sing all night with them!” Keep the fiesta going!
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