Prehispanic Music / Musical Terminology in the Nahuatl Language / Musical Terminology in the Maya Language

Anahuati Hablar bajo To speak softly

Acxaquiztli Trompeta de barro moldeada como caracol marino Clay trumpet molded after a conch shell

Animecatl Flauta antropomorfa Anthropomorphic flute

Atecocolli Caracol marino Sea shell

Ayacachtli Sonaja Rattle

Ayotapalcatl Carapacho de tortuga Turtle shell

Ayotl Tortuga Turtle or tortoise

Cacalachtli Cascabel de barro Clay bell

Chicahuaztli Palo sonador Ratteling stick

Chichtli Silbato Whistle

Cihuacuicatl Canto de mujeres Singing by women

Cihuanetotiliztli Danza de mujeres Dance of women

Cihuapancuicuiztli Cantar a modo de mujer [falsete] Sing like a woman [falseto]

Coacuechtli El cascabel de la serpiente The rattle of the snake

Cococuicatl Canto de las tórtolas Bird Song

Coyolli Cascabel de semilla Bell made out of a seed

Coyuntuntli Cascabel pequeño Small bell

Cuica Cantar To sing

Cuicaamatl Libro del canto Book of song

Cuicacalli Casa del canto House of song

Cuicachalani El que canta desafinado The one who sings out of tune

Cuicani Cantor o poeta Singer or poet

Cuicatl Canción Song

Cuicatlali Compositor Composer

Cuicatlamatilztli El saber musical Musical knowledge

Huehuetitlan Lugar del tambor (reunión de cantores y músicos) Place of drums (gathering of singers and musicians)

Huehuetl “La voz de los ancestros” Tambor vertical de madera “The voice of the ancesters” Verical wooden drum

Huexotzincayotl Canto o danza de los huexotzincas Song and dance in the style of the Huexotzincas

Hulacapitztli Flauta u ocarina en forma de ave Flute in the shape of a bird

Icatleopan Señor de la danza Lord of dance

Icotatematl Cascabeles de metal Metal bells

Ihtlizahuixoh Flauta triple en forma de serpiente Triple flute shaped like snake

Inemecatl Acción de tocar musica Action for music playing

Macaxochitl Astas de venado Deer antlers

Macehualcuiquiliztli Danza con canto Dance with song

Macehuehuetl Tambor con cuerdas Drum with strings

Maxhuapilli El joven hacedor de danzas The young dance maker

Mitotiani Danzante Dancer

Mixcoacalli Recinto donde se reunian cantantes y danzantes Place of reunion for singers and dancers

Mocacahua Pausa o silencio de los que cantan o hacen música Pause or silence of singers or musicians

Nahuati Hablar alto To speak loud

Nenahualiztli Danza del abrazo Dance of the embrace

Nexhuiliztli Flauta globular u ocarina Globular flute or ocarina

Omitzicahuaztli Hueso raspador Bone scraper

Oucatatemetl Xilófono con dos lenguetas y parches en ambos extremos Two tone xilophone with with skins on both ends

Pilcuicatl Canto de nobles Song of the nobles

Quiquiztli Trompeta de caracol Conch shell trumpet

Tecziztli Caracol Conch shell

Tecomalpiloa Xilófono portatil con jicara Portable xilophone with gourd

Tecuicama Entonar a los cantores To entonate singers

Temazcalcuihuatl Canto ceremonial del temazcal Ceremonial sweat baths song

Teocuitlahuehuetl Tambor de oro Gold drum

Teponazcuicatl Canto con teponaztli Song with xilophone

Teponaztli Xilófono con dos lenguetas Two tone xilophone

Tepuzquiquiztli Trompeta de metal Metal trumpet

Tetzilacatl Cascabel de cobre Copper bell

Tlalpanhuehuetl Tambor sobre la tierra Tall wooden drum

Tlaocolcuicatl Canto triste y serio Sad and solemn song

Tlapitzaliztli Toque de flautas Flutes playing

Tlapitzalli Flauta Flute

Tlapixcaltzin “Guardián” maestro de canto y director de coro “Guardian” master of song and choir conductor

Tochcuicatl Canto del conejo Song of rabbit

Tzilictic Claro en sonido, resonante Clear in sound

Tzililitl Disco de metal Metal disc

Tzotzocolli Cantaro musical Musical clay pot

Xopancuicatl Canto de Primavera Spring song

Xochixicalli Jícara de agua Water gourd

Xochimecatl Astas de venado Deer antlers

Xochiolmaitl Palos para percutir el teponaztli Sticks to play the xilophone

Xochipilli El Señor de la danza y el canto Lord of dance and song

Yeccacuica Cantar bien y suavemente To sing well and smoth

Zozoloctli Flauta zumbadora Buzzing flute