Lila Downs - Yucu Ninu, Mixtec Indian song
Mexican Folk / Mixtec Indian traditional song
Daughter of a Mixtec [mes-TEK] Indian woman and Anglo-American father, Downs was born near the mountains of Oaxaca [wa-HA-ka], she studied music and anthropology at the University of Minnesota and at the University of the Arts in Oaxaca. But it was only through music that Downs reconciled her heritage. "It took a long time to decide that I wanted to sing," she says. "Something needed to motivate me." That motivation was the songs and stories of her ancestors, the Oaxacan people. Downs explores the great Mexican ballads, the boleros and rancheras and sets the ancient codices of the Mixtecs and Zapotecs [za-po-TEK] to music.
.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Mixteca Indians (Also Misteca, Latin Mish-te-ka)
ReplyDeleteOne of the most important civilized tribes of southern Mexico, occupying an extensive territory in western and northern Oaxaca and extending into Guerrero and Puebla. They number in all about 250,000 , or somewhat more than the whole Indian population of the United States together. Their eastern and southern neighbours are the rude Mixe and cultured and powerful Zapotec, with the last named of whom they constitute a distinct linguistic stock, designated as the Zapotecan. The ancient culture and governmental forms of the Mixteca were practically the same as those of the Zapotec. They are now industrious farmers, weavers, and potters, the pottery manufacture, contrary to the Indian custom generally, being in the hands of men. They stand high for industry and ingenuity, dignified and reliable disposition, hospitality and love of liberty. They were brought under Spanish dominion about the same time as the Zapotec and Mixe, in 1521-4, shortly after which the work of their conversion was begin by the Dominicans and prosecuted with such success that the whole nation may now be considered as Christian, notwithstanding some survivals from pagan times. They are active and enterprising, and have taken prominent part in Mexican politics, being particularly devoted to the Revolutionary cause in 1811. President Díaz of Mexico is one-forth Mextica blood.