K’ayom amal, the Singing Anuran: a New Organological Variant of Classic Maya Period Double Aerophone

Abstract

This paper aims to present and acoustically analyze a Late Classic Maya Period double flute with a previously unreported organological configuration. This aerophone features a complex airduct assembly, spheroidal chambers, and exit tubes inserted into the tripod figurine of a standing toad. Computational analyses of the acoustic signal recorded throughout the experimental playing of the flute reveal that the instrument maker purposely designed the sonic artifact to emulate the iterative croak of the depicted anuran. Furthermore, the symbolic impact of the interpreter’s gesture is emically studied and correlated with anuran-related Maya iconographic, epigraphic, lexicographic, archaeological, and ethnographic data.