Guatemala
Indigenous Mayans

Wood, polychrome, hide w/hair
Collected in 1970s
Height: 15.5 in, Diameter: 9 in
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones 

A polychrome Mayan pedestal hand drum called “pax” (Aztec call it “huehuetl”).  The larger  Mayan ‘pax’ is called “zacatdn” (Aztec call the larger drum “panhuehuetl”).  This upright drum has a fur-covered animal hide skin head on top, a wood cylindrical body with a tripod (three-legged) base carved from a single log, and bright polychrome designs painted across the body.  Floral (trees and possibly pots of maize) and animal (deer) motifs predominate, as well as stripe and dot patterns in blue, green, pink, and yellow.  Dances, rituals, and even warfare were supported with music played on musical instruments that were held in high esteem.  Types of instruments included rattles, rasps, drums (those with and without animal hide – membranophones & idiophones), conch shell trumpets, whistles, ocarinas and flutes.

When the ‘pax’ was played during the night, a burning ocote (Mexican pine stick) was slid between the legs and into the inside of the cavity of the drum, so that the leather/hide would contract/tighten with the heat and continue to produce its distinctive percussive sound.