Ocarinas of Mexico & Central America

Four hole ocarina, kneeling male figure, Costa Rica, PM 52-26-20/18980.2

Two hole ocarina, bat figure, Honduras, PM 96-35-20/C1290

Four hole ocarina, bird form, Costa Rica, PM 51-50-20/18544

Archaeologists have recovered ceramic ocarinas from both burials and elite residences in Mexico and Central America, some dating back over 4,500 years. Within this region, pre-Columbian cultures flourished until shortly after the Spanish arrival in the 15th and 16th centuries.

As musical instruments, ocarinas played a significant role in ceremonies and rituals, and are immortalized in both pre-Columbian art and postcolonial manuscripts. Spanish colonists noted the use of special shrines for musical wind instruments and the playing of ocarina-like whistles and flutes to announce ritual dancing and chanting among the Aztec.