The photo below is from the instruments exhibit at the La Azotea cultural center near Antigua Guatemala, with a description first provided in Spanish, and then with an English translation.
RASPADORES
Los mas antiguos raspadores conceides del periodo clásico maya estaban hechos de hueso de venado o de tapir. A estos huesos se les hacían incisiones con ranuras transversales. Al resperios con cuernos de venado u otros huesos delgedes, se produce un fuerte sonido de percusión. Actualmente en el área Quekchi, los raspadores se hacen de calabaza y acompañe la danza tradicional de Los Diablos.
RASPS
The oldest known rasps in use during the Classic Maya Period were made of bone, probably of deer or tapir. These bones were incised with transverse grooves. When rubbed with deer antlers or other slender bones, an intense percussion sound is produced. Today, in the Quekchi area, rasps are made of gourde. They accompany the traditional Devil’s Dance. The storyline of this dance drama includes Lucifer, the king of the devils, who captures a woman sinner and takes her to hell. The angel Gabriel tries to win her back to heaven.
