Montclair library celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Visitors of Montclair Library received a special treat last week when the Aztec tribe Copali Copili performed for Cinco de Mayo festivities.
The group not only danced, but they also showed the audience the different types of instruments they use including a skull that when blown into it is called the death whistle.
"Even death has a sound," said Chris Stenmo, performer and Aztec name Ixtemoc, which means swooping eyes.
During the presentation Stenmo, dressed in traditional garb, explained what each of their instruments are capable of.
The group not only danced, but they also showed the audience the different types of instruments they use including a skull that when blown into it is called the death whistle.
"Even death has a sound," said Chris Stenmo, performer and Aztec name Ixtemoc, which means swooping eyes.
During the presentation Stenmo, dressed in traditional garb, explained what each of their instruments are capable of.
He pointed at the the drum or the 'hue huetl' which Stenmo said the "old sound drum."
"The drum sound represents the heartbeat of mother earth," Stenmo said.
In total there are about 400 different instrument, said Raymond Ramirez, a member of the group.
But on May 5, there were about two dozen.
"The hollow tree trunk sound when you hit it sounds like time ticking by, it represent to walk in balance," Ramirez said.
As Stenmo blew through a large sea shell he called it "the original Internet."
"If you wanted to call someone from miles away for a ceremony you would blow into this and then there would be a constant number of shells that would be blown," he said.
Serrano Middle School student Sarai Popoca said the presentation will help her on a report she's doing on Aztec civilization.
"I thought the performance was amazing," said Sarai, 13. "I didn't know they had so much passion for what they do."
She said she was also impressed by the different instruments.
"I didn't know there was such an instrument such as the death one," Sarai said. "It really sounds like a person's last breath."
"The drum sound represents the heartbeat of mother earth," Stenmo said.
In total there are about 400 different instrument, said Raymond Ramirez, a member of the group.
But on May 5, there were about two dozen.
"The hollow tree trunk sound when you hit it sounds like time ticking by, it represent to walk in balance," Ramirez said.
As Stenmo blew through a large sea shell he called it "the original Internet."
"If you wanted to call someone from miles away for a ceremony you would blow into this and then there would be a constant number of shells that would be blown," he said.
Serrano Middle School student Sarai Popoca said the presentation will help her on a report she's doing on Aztec civilization.
"I thought the performance was amazing," said Sarai, 13. "I didn't know they had so much passion for what they do."
She said she was also impressed by the different instruments.
"I didn't know there was such an instrument such as the death one," Sarai said. "It really sounds like a person's last breath."
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