The Mariachi, string music, song and trumpet, along with Mibu no Hana Taue, a ritual of transplanting rice in Hiroshima, Japan; Sada Shin Noh, a sacred dancing at Sada shrine, also in Japan; the cultural practices and expressions linked to the balafon of the Senufo communities of Mali and Burkina Faso; and the Fado, the urban popular song of Portugal; were all included on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List.
On the declaration, UNESCO said that: “Mariachi is a traditional music and fundamental element of Mexican culture, transmitting values, heritage, history and different Indian languages. Traditional Mariachi ensembles include trumpets, violins, the vihuela and “guitarrón'' (bass guitar), and may have four or more musicians who wear regional costumes adapted from the charro costume. Modern Mariachi music includes a wide repertoire of songs from different regions of the country and musical genres. Musicians learn by ear from father to son and through performances at festive, religious and civil events.”
“There is no other Mexican musical expression, better known around the world” said the Secretary of Culture of Jalisco, Alejandro Cravioto. Then he added: “Mariachi is with us from our baptism, all the way to our funeral” according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
With the recognition, Mexico agrees to a series of commitments including the creation of a music library of mariachi songs, to preserve its sounds; an image archive, to preserve its aesthetic; the organization of Mariachi meetings to promote the tradition; and the commitment of teaching this artistic expression to the new generations.
Mariachi joins other Mexican traditions in the list of Intangible Heritage of UNESCO, such as: the traditional Mexican cuisine, the Parachicos festivity of Chiapas, the Pirekua a traditional purépecha song, the traditions of the people Otomí-Chichimeca of Querétaro, the Voladores de Papantla dance, and the Día de Muertos celebration.
After the declaration, a group of 13 mariachis interrupted the meeting of the committee to sing “El Son de la Negra” one of the most representative songs played by mariachis.
