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The Whistling Mazatecs of Mexico
In the sierra of Oaxaca, Mexico, the local
inhabitants - the Mazatecs - have a way of
communicating over long distances without
the use of phones.
The region is diverse, characterized by rugged
highland areas virtually without level ground.
There are many dialects of the Mazatecan language
spoken, and the unique whistle language enables
the Mazatec people to communicate with others
for distances over two kilometers. Because
of the terrain, often hilly, mountainous,
or with valleys, this form of communication
means that the Mazatecs can easily keep in
touch with people.
What is this `language` which has been passed
down from generation to generation?
It is a tonal language, which copies the
tone and rhythm of the spoken tongue. The
whistle comes from the lips, without the use
of fingers. By variations in speed, timbre,
and intensity of the whistle the Mazatecs
have the ability to convey a wide range of
things to the hearers.
Generally it`s used for short conversations.
How handy if someone from the family has gone
off to the store to buy something and he`s
whistled to add something extra to the shopping
list.
But, how do you know who`s doing the talking,
or whistling? Each person has their own personalized
whistle. Just like a voice is rather unique,
so is the whistle. And, although Mazatec women
may understand the whistle language, perhaps
even using it in her family, she would not
use it to communicate outside of the family,
particularly with another man.
The whistling language isn`t just confined
to the Oaxaca, Mexico, part of the world.
In fact it`s been found in places such as
the Canary Islands, China, and Papua New Guinea,
Africa. Even in the Greek village of Antia
there are reputed to be some whistlers remaining,
though at one time it was used extensively
in the village.
In the Canary Islands it is called Silbo
Gomero. Just like that used in Mexico, the
language is a whistled form of a dialect of
Spanish. This Silbo language uses five vowels,
but just four consonants.
So, ingenuity means that man is able to communicate
long distances without necessarily always
having to use speech, or even sign-language.
The Mazatec whistlers are proof of that.
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