Agave

"The piece is based on a field recording of workers cutting agave near Tequila, Mexico. The rhythmic, percussive sounds immediately captured my attention, as well as the cultural significance of the plant. The composition explores themes of Sonic Heritage, preserving the importance of agave labor, which is deeply tied to Mexica (Aztec) traditions and the reverence for Mayahuel, the goddess of agave. Mayahuel represents the sacred and nourishing qualities of the plant, central to Mexica culture for centuries.

"I worked with the recording both as a collection of samples and as a unified entity. While time-stretching it to lay a foundational base layer (a sort of cantus firmus), hidden tonal qualities emerged, transforming the sound into a more abstract, almost ceremonial texture. This shift guided the piece's structure.

"The narrative of the piece follows a worker who experiences a spiritual revelation during their workday, leading to a new equilibrium between labor and spirituality. This journey is reflected in the structure of the composition, transitioning from the concrete (physical labor) to the divine (spiritual revelation), and back to the concrete, now aligned with the divine.

"Through manipulation of the original recording, the piece demonstrates how sounds rooted in cultural heritage can evolve and acquire new meanings when removed from their original context. The result is a sonic journey that moves from the tangible world of work to a more abstract, spiritual realm."

Jimadores cutting agave reimagined by Manuel Valenzuela.

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This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.

Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage