Instruments
Here is a list of the instruments presented during my "Aztec Stories" program:
Tlapitzalli - numerous clay and wooden flutes
Huilacapitztli - ocarina
Chichtli - clay whistle
Ayacachtli - Shakers and rattles
Tzcahauztli - rasp
Bubalek gourd water drums
Hand-drums made from gourds
Gourd trumpets
Ayayotls shakers wrapped around the ankles
Atecocolli - Conch shell trumpet
Teponaztli drums two-toned, carved wooden slit drum
Huehuetl drum large vertical upright drum
Ayotl - Turtle shell a two-toned instrument played by striking with a deer antler
Frog shells - these are seashells that produce the sound of a frog
Chikauaztli - Rain stick
Xiuhkoatl - Fire stick an instrument that makes the sound of a crackling fire
Almost all the instruments are made either by my friends or myself. They are made with readily available materials. This is a point I try to convey to the listening audience so that they understand that they too can create musical instruments from everyday things around them just like our ancestors did.