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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