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Theory and Compilation of the history of the K’ojom or Mayan Marimba
by Carlos Mejia
According to the Mayan cosmovision or thought, plants, water, animals, humans and all of nature are part of a whole being. They represent cosmic elements that are mutually related. We are all formed from the same chemical elements and subject to the same laws of nature such as fertility, birth and death. Therefore, Mayans perform special ceremonies related to any activity that has something to do with nature, likewise when cutting down a tree to build a K’ojom (marimba), it is necessary to consult the wise men or spiritual guides. They decide on the date which will be a night of a full moon and they will call on the God of nature (Heart of Heaven, Heart of Earth). They will proceed to cut down the tree usually an Hormigo tree which they consider sacred because its wood is capable of singing with its melodious voice. In order of importance the Hormigo tree is the best to build the K’ojom keyboard. In Mayan languages the Hormigo tree has different names for example in the Quiche language it's called Sneak Che, in Qanjobal, Jakalteco and in Acateco is called Sanik Te which means Ant tree because it is the habitat of a variety of ants. It usually grows in the Mayan areas of Guatemala (Peten, Coban, Quiche, Huehuetenango and Suchitepeguez).
The Marimba has had an evolution from the primitive Tun to the actual way we know it. Mayans called it K’ojom in Mayan Quiche, Tinab in Jacalteco, Chinab in Mam, Te Son in Kanjobal and Chinaba Jul in Yucateco. There is also a Mayan term for the Marimba players which is Sonlom, for the builders of the instrument it is Watxeon Son, and K’enhbal Son for the mallets which are made of rubber and from the branches of the Witzizil tree. Mayans also created their own style of music long before the Spanish conquest in Guatemala and it is known as Son which is the traditional rhythm. In some places it is played by one musician and in other places Mayans play it with three and four people with one keyboard. With the Spanish invasion, the instrument was banned. It came out decades later with different modifications and the Spanish called it “Timpano” or “Organo”. The name Marimba was adopted years later and it was introduced into Mayan languages by religious and Spanish functionaries living among Mayan communities. Approximately in the year 1850, the first double keyboard marimba (including flats and sharps) like the piano, was adapted by Sebastian Hurtado, a Guatemalan musician from Quetzaltenango. Since then hundreds of outstanding Guatemalan composers have written Mayan and traditional pieces.
The Origin of K’ojom (Marimba), by Musicians and Researches.
Jesus Castillo has been one of the few learned who has affirmed that the Marimba’s origins are from the Mayans.
David Vela affirms that there is no conclusive proof that the marimba had been imported from Africa, which demonstrates why the Marimba was not developed in places of African influence like the United States, Cuba, Brazil and other places. Furthermore there was no mixing between the Mayan and African cultures, nor does Mayan music have any similarity to that of Africa.
Carlos Mejia, of Mayan Quiche origin, states that the keyboard instrument K’ojom is of Mayan origin. From the primitive instrument “Tun” or “ Tumkul “ with its two keys, throughout time it has evolved through several stages to be what is currently known and played in Guatemala and other countries under the name Marimba.
Several other investigators support these theories. Among them are, Carlos A. Asturias Ramon Mena, Ruben M. Campos, Brasseur De Boorbourg, Marcial Armas, Mariano Lopez Mayorical.
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