[Aztlan] AZTEC WHISTLES OF DEATH

[Russell Block]

Hi everyone:

The event you are referring to was a concert put on by the New World 
Archaeology Council,  which featured the world renowned Huichol 
percussionist and flute player, Xavier Quijas Yxayotl .  This concert was 
held at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA on Friday evening, October 29, 
2006, prior to our second Maya Symposium on ancient Maya Murals.

Xavier demonstrated many Pre-Columbian musical instruments, that he 
personally makes from designs that are in museums around the world.  One of 
the instruments that he demonstrated was a Maya/Aztec "death whistle" that 
is made from clay and it is in the form of a small human skull.

Xavier explained that one of the purposes of this "death whistle" was to 
have hundreds of these being blown simultaneously by Maya/Aztec warriors 
they approached an enemy in combat.  The very high pitched "screechy" noise 
that was emitted would intimidate and scare the enemy and cause confusion 
among their ranks.

More information about the "death whistle" and other Maya flutes that are 
hand crafted by Xavier can be found on: xxx.yxayotl.com.

Russ Block


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <CheyenneS at aol.com>
To: <mayavase at verizon.net>; <michaelruggeri at mac.com>; 
<aztlan at lists.famsi.org>
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 6:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Aztlan] AZTEC WHISTLES OF DEATH


>I attended a symposium at UC Irvine a few years back and there was
> presentation of traditional Mesoamerican music with instruments the artist 
> had  created
> himself.  One of the instruments demonstrated was a whistle (if you  could
> call it that)  that produced a horrifying scream.  I can't  remember what 
> it's
> shape was, but I think it was made of stone. The artist  indicated that it 
> was
> used in war to intimidate the opponent, and I believe it  would have done 
> that
> very effectively.
>
> I tried to find the specifics of the time and the artist's name but it
> hasn't turned up yet...  Maybe someone else can contribute those  details.
>
> Cheyenne Spetzler
> cheyennes at aol.com
>
>
>
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