KULCHA Symposium Presenter, Kong F. Cheong: Ancient Maya Music Making: Sound Instruments from the Site of Pacbitun, Belize

​​Kong F. Cheong is currently a PhD candidate at American University in Washington D.C. Since 2006, he has participated in several long-term projects including the Pacbitun Regional Archaeological Project (PRAP), Social Archaeology Research Program (SARP), and Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance (BVAR). Being a part of these projects allowed him the opportunity to survey and excavate both cave and surface archaeological sites like Pacbitun, Minanha, Caves Branch, Baateelek, and Ixchel. He also conducts research at Bagan in Myanmar, the Southeastern US, Mexico, and at Swahili sites in Kenya. His interests include ceramics, archaeomusicology, ancient food and beverage, craft production, and architecture.

About the presentation

Thematic Group: Ancient Maya Archaeology - September 1st, 2021 from 8:45 AM to 10:00 AM (UTC-6:00)

Belizeans have a long tradition of music-making. Evidence of this heritage shows that it goes all the way back to the ancient Maya of Belize. Perhaps, modern-day Belizeans owed their rhythm to the ancient Maya of Pacbitun? Pacbitun is known for the archaeological recovery of numerous music instrument artefacts. Some of the most complete, functioning, and fascinating examples of sound makers were recovered here. These ensemble instruments would indicate that at Pacbitun, the ancient Maya was making music. Music is said to be the language of emotion and that all music is meant to be shared. Here, an introduction of various musical instruments used by the ancient Maya along with sound artefacts from Pacbitun will be presented. A short video demonstration of sound from the functioning artefacts. And finally, there will also be a discussion of ancient Maya music-making and soundscape at Pacbitun.