National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Florencio Mess is one of the few remaining harpists to maintain the centuries-old tradition of Maya K'ekchi' harp music and instrument-crafting. His music is a living connection to the vibrant ancient Mayan culture and is an important part of village celebrations in southern Belize.

Mess continues to live in the remote Maya K'ekchi' village of San Pedro Colombia, where he works his farm, crafts instruments and plays at local celebrations and fiestas.

Like most traditional Mayan musicians, Mess learned to play as a child, studying under a mentor who taught him not only the music, but how to fashion instruments out of rain forest hardwoods using traditional tools. —Courtesy Calabash Music