It seems that there is always a special exhibit to see at one of Mexico City's many museums. In fact, Thursday has almost become my "museum day" when I go to see something new. Last Thursday I went downtown to see a show at the National Museum of Art that I had somehow missed before. However, before I ever got there, I saw that there was a new exhibit at the Museum of Popular Arts. It was a small but interesting display of items related to music... traditional instruments, art depicting musicians and dancers' costumes.
At the entrance there was a wall of stringed instruments. The classical guitar was brought to Mexico by the Spanish, and is an integral part of Mexican music.
A "salterio" or psalter, an instrument similar to a zither
This guitar is made from the shell of an armadillo.
This guitar is decorated with the beadwork typical of the Huichol tribe of western Mexico.
A representation in painted wood of Mexico City's Plaza de Garibaldi, a favorite hangout of mariachi musicians.
I think the crank in the front makes the dancers go round and around.
An antique table organ
The costume of a "parachico", a dancer from the town of Chiapa de Corzo in the state of Chiapas.
The elaborate costume of a "chinelo", a traditional dancer from the state of Morelos
The costume of a "carnaval" dancer
The tiger costume of dancers from the state of Chiapas
The costume of the deer dance performed by the Yaqui tribe in the northern state of Sonora
This painting done on bark paper included a band of musicians.
A modern recreation of a "teponaztle", a wooden percussion instrument used for the Aztecs and Mayas.
A marimba from the state of Chiapas
A collection of drums
This painted, wooden drum is from the state of Tlaxcala.
A papier mache figure of a skeleton playing the guitar
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