El Mariachi y El Mestizo

Since the revolution of 1910, Mexican scholars have been exploring the thought of Mexican national identity (Hoy 1982, 370). The mestizo is a mix of indegenous and European cultures that emerged as the prominent representation of Mexicanism. For some, the Mariachi is believed to be the reflection of the mestizo and thus synonymous with Mexican national identity. The combination of the aesthetics used by performers along with the musical instruments and music genre performed encapsulate the essence of the Mexican mestizo. The culture promoted by the Mariachi as the mestizo is critical to helping shape a sense of Mexican national identity (Handler and Linnekin 1984, 279).

how it evolved

There were two significant changes that transformed the look of the traditional Mariachi from its original indigenous roots. The shift emerged from 1920 through 1930 in Mexico City and was fueled by state actors and social elites in an attempt to create a symbol representative of Mexican identity. One of the changes included incorporating the traje de charro (below right) which were outfits associated with wealthy landowners. This new look shifted Mariachi identity from its original indigenous roots that dated back to the 19th century (below left) (Mulholland 254,2007).

The addition of the trumpet to the ensemble of string instruments traditionally used by early Mariachi performers was the other significant change to the traditional Mariachi - it was added to incorporate a modern feel that was influenced by Jazz and Cuban sounds (Mulholland 255,2007).

culture and popularity

Mariachi performances gained popularity from 1935 through 1955 in what is considered the Golden Age of Mexican culture. Movie stars/singers of that era helped to transform what originally were performances by groups of often peasant men from rural parts of Jalisco, Mexico who worked for wealthy landowners. They evolved from performing primarily at religious events to other forms of media including films, radio, and other national events (Mulholland 258, 2007).

Jose Alfredo Jimenez (right) and Pedro Infante (left) were actors/singers who became cultural icons during the Golden Age. They emerged as prominent faces associated with Mariachi performers who incorporated rancheras as the primary music genre to perform (Mulholland 258, 2007).

The authenticity and sensitivity of rancheras helped round out the image of the Mariachi. Although women were not part of the Mariachi ensemble at that time (there are now all women Mariachi groups), women like Lucha Reyes (right) were well known musicians and vocalist who were instrumental in ushering in this music genre that is now primarily associated with the Mariachi (Mulholland 2007, 258).

Mariachis are an integral part of Mexican culture. Performances like these are instrumental in helping audiences experience the culture of the performers (Sims and Stephens 2011, 130). Mariachis are popular at traditional events such as weddings, quincenieras, and festivals. You can also find them performing in many other formal and informal settings.

Becoming a Mariachi performer is often learned among male relatives within a family (Mulholland 2007, 257). It is believed by most Mariachi performers that the authenticity, legacy, and history of the Mexican Mariachi can only be passed on through family members.