The huēhuētl is a percussion instrument from Mexico, used by the Aztecs and other cultures. It is an upright tubular drum made from a wooden body opened at the bottom that stands on three legs cut from its base, with skin stretched over the top. It can be beaten by hand or wood mallet.
Description This ancient percussion instrument originated from Mesoamerica and was often used by the Aztecs and Tarascan. The huehuetl were used during festivals such as warrior gatherings. The drum itself is made from hollowed tree trunks and thus, came in different sizes. Carvings of animals, faces or warriors were also often carved into the base of the drum. The skin used for the top of the drum was mainly from ocelots. Currently, there are still groups of musicians who use huehuetls to perform Aztec music.
Terminology TerminologyNahuatl dictionary. (1997). Wired humanities project. Retrieved August 31, 2012, from link 1st Component 2nd Component English Nahuatl IPA English Nahuatl IPA English Nahuatl IPAdrumhuēhuētl old (adjective)huēhuē singular noun suffix -tlmedium size drumpanhuēhuētl large drumtlālpanhuēhuētlon the ground orthroughout the countrytlālpandrumhuēhuētl war drumyāōhuēhuētlwaryāōtldrumhuēhuētl huēhuētl drummer huēhuēhuah drummingtlatzotzonalli to drumtlatzotzonamusical instrumenttlatzotzonalōni
Gallery
See also Teponaztli
References
Further reading Coe, Michael D. (2002); Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs London: Thames and Hudson.