9. ka naw ru Ii Dios 
We should know God (church song); it is found in the Catholic Church Kekchi book of Southern Belize. 

Ka Naw Ru Li Dios (We Should Know God )

2. Kac’ru poot 
Red Blouse: It was composed during a festival for when a big audience was dancing. The harpist played a tune especially for the girl in the red blouse. 



Kac'ru Poot (Red Blouse)

7. KatzKatz 
Itch (Tickles): You dance this tune as if your feet tickle you. 


Katz Katz (Itch Tickles)

10. Koc’che 
Small sticks: The harpist who plays for a big festival are greatly perfumed by the community and organizers. The organizers spread All Spice leaves in and around the dance hall. By the end of the activities all the leaves would be mashed and only small sticks would be seen on the floor. This music commemorates this. 


Koc' Che (Small Sticks)

6. Neba’ 
Poor Orphan: This tune goes to the orphans. It comes from an individual who was so lonely that he sang a sad song, and the tune was captured. 


Neba' (Poor Orphan)

4. Posol 
Corn Porrage: Before a break in the dance was taken the harpist would play the Posol, this tune would alert the persons in charge of food and drinks that the musicians would be needing posol. 


Posol (Corn Parrage)

11. Chin Chin a Ruk Ruka 

Women’s Favorite: a lively tune that is highly requested, especially by women 


Chin Chin A Ruk Ruka (Women's Favorite)

8. Raxtya-Rashtia 
Green Fly (insect): The green fly was sent to check the work after Noah’s flood. The fly found dead animals and laid its eggs, which then became larvae. When the fly got back he sang, “1 saw it. I applied salt Na cull na chal na cuatzami ru. 


Raxtya (Green Fly - Insect)

5. Tzo chilan 
Rooster: Usually, most harpists of olden times would play all night, until morning, until when the first rooster crowed. When the rooster crowed they would play Tzo Chilan too. 


Tzo Chilan (Rooster)

1, Ratzum ru c’um 
Pumpkin Flower: the Mayan tradition is to plant pumpkin in between the cornfield and they grow and harvest simultaneously. The farmer so amazed to see the flowers he sang a song of which today only tune survives. 


Ratzum Ruc' Um (pumkin Flower)

3. Tor 
Bull: It is not really a bull; it is what it means to a female during a dance between a male and a female. When tur is danced the chorus part should be with one foot only. If the skirt of the female hooks the male’s foot and he falls down, then, he is not considered the bull. 


Tor (Bull)

Hi, my name is Hilario Mess, Was born on January 14th, 1971. A proud native Mayan of Belize.  I’m very active in promoting the Mayan Harp Music. I was born and grown up in a very remote area of San Pedro Columbia village, Toledo District; I’m also very fluent in Kekchi, English and Spanish.  
The Kekchi harp music is one of the only instrumental that survives today among the Kekchi tribe of Belize.  My aim is to bring back the tradition and culture that is fading away gradually.
	According to the history way back of King David, he was the first person to play the harp.  Since then it was passed on generation to generation.  Here I am proud to say still on the end of the chain.
	The harp instrument is made of cedar wood found in the rainforest of the Maya Mountains of Belize and 30 nylon strings, constructed by my father Mr. Florencio Mess.
	The music is played by using 3 fingers of each hand and plucks the string to give a relaxing Bass and melody, it’s all instrumental.
	So peaceful……


Hilario Mess

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