International Mariachi Week – April 21-28, 2024

History of International Mariachi Week

Mariachi is a genre of Mexican music that dates back to the eighteenth century and has evolved over time in the countryside of various regions of Mexico. A typical Mariachi group consists of about eight violins, two trumpets and at least one guitar, including a ‘vihuela’ and an acoustic bass guitar, called a ‘guitarrón.’ The players usually take turns singing lead and doing backup vocals.

Mariachi music originated in Jalisco, Mexico, and was the distinctive version of the Spanish theatrical orchestra of violins, harps, and guitars. The origin of the name ‘Mariachi’ has been disputed over the years, with many believing that it came from the French word for marriage, ‘mariage’. The outfit of the Mariachi was a standard peasant outfit of white pants and shirt but urban mariachis modified their wardrobe in the 1920s when the musical style began to take on national prominence. Its promotion was also boosted by presidential inaugurations and on the radio in the 1920s. From there, it gradually evolved into the Charro outfit used by modern bands. The movies of the 1930s also influenced how the Mariachi dressed as they encouraged a flashy appearance.

In 2011, UNESCO recognized Mariachi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, joining six other entries on the Mexican list in that category. The Mariachi includes different song styles and instrumentals such as ‘rancheras,’ ‘sones,’ ‘cumbias,’ boleros,’ ‘corridos,’ ‘ballads,’ ‘huapangos,’ ‘jarabes,’ ‘pasodobles,’ ‘danzones,’ ‘joropos,’ ‘marches,’ ‘polkas,’ ‘waltzes,’ and ‘chotís.’ Most song lyrics are about machismo, love, death, betrayal, politics, revolutionary heroes, and country life.