The signage pictured below is from a tour of the La Azotea cultural center in Antigua Guatemala — information provided first in Spanish and then in English.
FLAUTAS
La literatura pre-hispanica como popol Vuh y el Chilam Balam mencionan a las flautas como algo divine. En el periodo clasico se utilizaron flautas hachas de diferentes materiales, incluyendo huesos de tapir o venado barro piedra y jade. LA mayor parte de estas flautes tenian boquillas rectas. Sin embargo, se han descublerto muestras de flautas con boquillas dobies y multiples, incluso con boquillas transversales.
Actualmente, las flautas, que son inseparables de los tambores, y que igualmente son ejecutados exclusivamente por hombres, forman parte de los instrumentos musicales estrictamente ligados a las actividades espirituales, Cofradias y danzas tradicionales.
FLUTES
In the pre-Hispanic literature, the Popol Vuh and the books of Chilam Balam, both refer to flutes as something divine. During the Maya Classic period flutes were made from different materials, including tapir and deer bones, pottery and jade. Most of the flutes had straight mouthpieces but examples of double, multiple and transverse mouthpieces have been found.
Presently, flutes are played exclusively by men, usually accompanied by a male drummer and are strictly connected with spiritual activities, Cofradias and as accompaniment for the traditional dances.
