The sound of a nation: Where did mariachi originate?

Characterized by a distinctive grito, mariachi is the ultimate melodic expression of heartache and happiness.

Some call it a music genre, others call it an emotional expression. Yet whatever your experience of it, one thing that cannot be denied is the immense popularity and influence of mariachi.

Characterized by its soulful blending of harmony, melody, and rhythm, mariachi and, more specifically, mariachi bands, are considered the national symbol of Mexico.

The band members’ charro suits and distinctive gritos have been seen and heard across the entire country for more than two centuries, during which time they have weaved their way into the nation’s collective conscience.

In 2011, mariachi was officially accepted as a symbol of Mexican culture when it received international recognition from Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This protected the skill of performing mariachi, ensuring it will be passed down from one generation to the next.

But everyone in Mexico knows that it didn’t need recognition from an international body to make sure it would live on. Mariachi music is an immovable symbol of Mexican culture and heritage, which serves as an important source of pride for Mexican people around the world.

“We are very emotional people,” Ezekiel Castro, a former director emeritus of the Mariachi Programs at the Butler School of Music, explained. “When we hear mariachi music, whether it's because of sorrow or because of joy, we can’t help but let out a grito.”

Music without borders

Different stories abound about the origin of mariachi music which can make it difficult to pinpoint. However, most agree that it is an amalgamation of cultures from three different groups that can be traced back to 18th-century Jalisco.

The style of music was originally performed by rural, working-class musicians who blended Spanish, African, and Mexican influences. Over time, it began to be more widely accepted and performed by more professional musicians, but initially, its sound and even the instruments used differed from region to region.

For example, a mariachi band could be a solo singer accompanied by a guitar or a group of musicians playing different instruments depending on where you were. 

Today, the instruments that are typically used in mariachi music include the guitar, vihuela, guitarrón, trumpet, and jarana. And the charro costumes worn by the musicians – complete with straw hats and botonaduras – still reflect the music’s humble origins.

For many in Mexico, like in the case of my family’s parties when I was young, mariachi is a common part of life. It provides the soundtrack for everything from weddings to birthdays to quinceañeras, giving people a special way to remember the moment and enjoy themselves.

However, what many don’t realize is that it is closely tied to the politics of the country too. In fact, it was largely down to politics that the music’s popularity surged in the 20th century. This was especially true after the Mexican Revolution, which saw a renewed interest in traditional Mexican culture and a desire to promote a sense of national identity.

President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río also played a key role. Recognizing the importance of mariachi music as a symbol of traditional Mexican culture, he established the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, which included mariachi music as one of the subjects in the curriculum.

This helped to ensure that the next generation of musicians would be trained in the traditional techniques of mariachi music.

Cárdenas also established the Mexican Folkloric Ballet, which was a government-funded ensemble that performed traditional Mexican music, dance and songs, including mariachi music, at national and international events.

By promoting mariachi music through this ensemble and other cultural initiatives, Cárdenas helped to revive the popularity of the music and ensure its survival for future generations.

Grito lleno de gusto

Mariachi has come to represent our joys, struggles, and growth. In fact, now, over any given weekend, you can easily find about 4,000 mariachi bands performing in Mexico City alone.

Its popularity has also spread to the US, where it can be heard entertaining diners at restaurants and bars everywhere from LA to Miami.

However, although mariachi is an incredibly popular genre (made more so by telenovelas) and can be studied at many schools and other learning institutions across the US, there is one thing some continue to struggle with: the distinctive mariachi yell known as the grito.

“Some people are just exquisite with it,” Ezekiel says. “Others, you know, we just do the best we can. He adds that his students are already much better at it than he is. "Everybody has their own individual way of doing gritos. It's a great expression."

To properly perform a grito, you must use the front of the diaphragm, full of gusto, and release anguish and joy from your soul. As you do this, it’s important not to feel embarrassed or self-conscious. A true grito involves giving it your all.

Deeply rooted within us all, mariachi is part of our cultural identity, and provides a form of entertainment for all age groups. That said, Mexican journalist Felix Contreras explains that he definitely listens to it more now that he’s older.

“It’s an acquired taste as you get older, you experience life’s heartbreaks and joys, the lyrics and the recitations and the performance resonate in a different way. It has all the secrets to life in the lyrics. You don’t know that when you’re in your twenties."

Overall, mariachi music is an essential part of the cultural fabric of Mexico and Mexican-American communities. The skill and artistry required to perform it continue to be highly regarded, with their immense power to conjure up memories, emotions, and provide a soundtrack for life’s most important milestones.