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Xavier Quijas Yxayotl Clay Flutes and Ancient Musical Instruments Years ago the music went silent . The instruments from our ancestors gave way to guitars , trumpets and violins from east of the Atlantic Ocean . When people think of music from Mexico they think of this newly formed Mariachi style as traditional Mexican heritage . They are wrong in thinking so . The Spaniards and the Government squashed the ancient Mayan and Aztec rhythms for hundreds of years . For they feared the strength of the Aztec warriors seeing power within their rituals and drums . Over 2,000 years ago music came from clay flutes and instruments were made from natural materials from the earth and filled the temples and courtyards of ancient civilizations . Though these instruments were hidden from the modern world , they still exist today . Thanks to the efforts of Xavier Quijas Yxayotl these instruments are reborn . The sounds of the clay flute once again fill the concert halls with performances by Xavier , along with his group America Indigena. After researching the museums and private collections for these instruments , Xavier has been able to reproduce these beautiful instruments . He brought the clay Mayan and Aztec double and triple flutes here to this country expressly to share this knowledge of the ancestors . The road traveled has not always been easy for Xavier , but he says " It is my reason to live ". Besides musical performances he is very talanted as an artist always creating new and different flutes . Currently he makes clay statue replicas of a Mayan head , the Corn Lady , the Moon Goddess , a jaguar Aztec warrior , a priest with Tlaloc clothing , and " Mother "the noble Lady. The Mayan head is nine inches tall , and the others range in size from 11 to 15 inches tall . The authentic orininals were only statues . He is possibly the only one in the world who makes these ancient replicas into flutes . The sound they make is very haunting . It makes one feel like they have returned to the ancient corridors of the ancient American pyramids and temples . In recent years Xavier has taken his music to schools and educating the people telling them who they once were , and how far the heritage really goes back into history . He conducts children's interaction programs and workshops making musical instruments . Even in his regular performances he always speaks a little about this past and where his unique music originates from . Xavier has produced 7 CD's now available ,His First CD " Fuertes Ancestro " is for the Aztec dance . On the back cover you can see some of his clay flute styles , i.e.; double and triple chamber flutes . His second CD " Codex " is traditional Mayan style. PBS broadcasts this music video on the air from time to time . Two years ago " Codex " was nominated at the Native American Music Awards for ' best instrumental record of the year '. This year his third CD titled " Pearl Moon " is up for nomination at the awards . The cover of " Pearl moon " features his now famous ' fire flute ' which is very dramatic having seven flute chambers in one with fire flaming off the end of it . In Alburquerque , New Mexico last year this fire flute was the star attraction at the opening ceremony of the music awards . His current CD release produced by Canyon Records called " Crossroads " was just released in 2001 . Be on the lookout for a PBS special called " Crossroads " on your local PBS stations . Xavier mixes his traditional Mayan music along with Robert Tree Cody singing in Native American Indian style . This is a wonderful blending of Central America and North America Indians , crossing over those borders that were put in place , and should prove to be very controversial . In this PBS video you will see that rare one - of - a - kind fire flute , and other instruments played by Xavier . His music is vey magical because he makes all of the instruments with his own hands . The Black and blonde bamboo flutes are self made to the tone of the Spirit . The ocarinas and flute whistles imitate bird and nature sounds . He uses traditional Huehuetl ( pronounced wayed ) Aztec drums , which are large , tall , and beautifully hand carved from tree trunks . The Teponaztli's are 3 sizes of hand carved log drums . The " ocean drum " creates the sounds of ocean waves . Recently instead of making a traditional square ocean drum he created a beautiful one using a large turtle shell . The gourd has always been around and has many uses as vessels , ect. Xavier likes to create instruments with them such as : water gourd drums , large Mayan trumpents , big rasps , rattles , and the Musical bow . The musical bow is a large gourd with the top and bottom cut out . Around the top rim has an arm rest to hold an 8 foot bow . When played the string makes two very unusual tones . This is much larger than the ones used by the Tepehuanes Indians of Northern Mexico . It is very ancient predating any drums ! The Indians use it in their ceremonies for the " hunt ceremony ". In the beginning this instrument was a real weapon ( bows and arrows ) . But the hunters play around the fire and sing at the same time , and they hit the bow string with an arrow . The sound was very quiet but through the years they changed it and added a small gourd to make more resonance . through the years they placed a big gourd on the floor and played the big bow n top of the gourd . Now the bows and arrows were transformed into musical instruments . Xavier has spent most of his life constructing and playing these instruments . He says " All that I do comes from a spirit within me , music is a live representation of nature . In looking at my cultural roots and musical roots , I realize music crosses all barriers ! It was at this time that I decided to form a group and name it America Indigena . The group is composed of people who share my musical sentiments". During their travels of concerts and ceremonies they interpret the authentic music of the Mayans , Aztecs , Tarahumaras , Yaquis , Tepehuans and Huicholes . Xavier also sings in Tarahumara and his native Huichol and Nahuatl Languages . They perform magical rituals that captivate the audience providing an unforgettable experience to their audiences as their music is said to cure the soul and spirit . " The concerts are not just for entertainment . I give them a special message with serious significance " he says . " Through them I express the origin and true meaning that exists in that " hidden " world unknown to the generations of our times - this is an ancient music for new generation . I hope that with my music I am able to bring you at least a little of the force of our ancestors , and I hope to captivate your soul and your spirit ! " |
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Thank You for stopping by |
You Are Visitor Number |
From the CD Crossroads with Robert Tree Cody |
NEW RELEASE SAMPLE |
CROSSROADS |
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This Site is Copyrighted |
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You can also enjoy Xavier and other artists on The American Indian Radio System, AIROS Click on the red Tab |
AIROS |
CDs and Cassettes Clay Flutes Video Links Order Form E-Mail me Home Number II |
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This page was last updated on: August 17, 2002