Where did mariachi get there name from?

Answer 1

I was watching a program on Mariachi Music, and supposedly Mariachi is a combination of (Jesus' earthly mother) 'Mary' and 'Aches' or the pains and suffering that she underwent seeing her firstborn son suffer and died. I believe that this is why they sound like they're shouting: "Aye-yaye-yaye" and some times sound off-key with their singing.

The above answer is one theory, but it is only speculation. It is known that during the 19th century when Europeans came to Central America, they refered to the bands as "marriage bands" because they played at festivals and it stuck. In Spanish, the letter "J" does not have the same sound as in English. In Spanish the later "J" sound like the English letter "H," and the letter "H" is spelled "hache." Mexicans found it difficult to pronounce the English word marriage. Thus, marr-i-aje was pronounced, marr-i-hache. Keep in mind this is only theory as well, but it is accepted and taught in many universities.

Answer 2

Mariachi is thought to originate from the now extinct Coca language of central Jalisco. But the definition is not known.

But nowadays it refers to a type of Mexican music played with violins, trumpets, double basses and some Guitars, as well as to the musicians who play it.

Answer 3

The word mariachi is supposed to be of French origin and come into use about the time of Maximillian, a short-lived French emperor of Mexico, and has to do with the word mariage and the type of music played at marriage ceremonies around that time.

Others claim it is a native word and has to do with the wooden platform they would perform on and preceeded the French reference. No one apparently knows for sure.

(See the reference below--there's a lot more interesting stuff there about mariachis, too.)

Answer 4

-adjective 1. pertaining to traditional Mexican dance music, usually played by a small band of strolling musicians dressed in native costumes.

~dictionary.com

Answer 5

jalisco, in Mexico

jalisco, in Mexico

Answer 6

Mexico