Xochi Cuicatl is a presentation of historic music of the Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica.

Before the Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica in the early 16th century, Aztec and Mayan cultures were thriving with their unique cultures, lifestyles and languages – Nahuatl and Purepecha, among others. But after Hernán Cortés and his soldiers showed up, only 10 percent of Indigenous populations survived. They left behind songs and instruments that still have modern-day practitioners in today’s Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and surrounding countries.

“It was the largest documented genocide in the history of the world,” says Los Angeles-based musician Christopher Garcia, who has been presenting ancient songs and instruments of the Mexico and Central America region around the world. This Saturday, he will do so in Salinas.

Garcia, joined by his wife Yolanda and his daughter Alegria, draws primarily from a collection known as “Xochicuicatl” – flower songs in English, or flor y canto in Spanish. The collection of about 90 Aztec songs and Cantares Mexicanos (Mexican Songs) is known to many performers, but not many know much beyond the music. Garcia and his family continue to discover stories and sites behind them (Alegria Garcia is an archaeologist and examines primary sources at ancient sites), digging deeper and deeper.

They play string and percussion instruments that were used 2,000 years ago, such as the atecocolli (shell trumpet), ayacaxtli (rattle) and baa po wehai (water drum). The songs will be sung in Nahuatl, Purepecha, as well as in Spanish and English translations. Garcia adds some original compositions.

His performances are often accompanied by lectures on Indigenous music and culture.

“In ancient traditions, poetry and music are the same thing,” Garcia explains. “But there are songs we know, but we don’t perform publicly.” That’s because they belong to certain families and were passed to younger generations by a family elder. “We respect those family traditions.”

Garcia has been pursuing music all his life. As a family, the Garcias have been performing since the early 2000s.

Since then, the family has traveled the world, spreading consciousness about Indigenous music, poetry and history.

Xochi Cuicatl: Flower Songs & Flor y Canto. 1-4pm Saturday, June 28. Boronda Adobe History Center, 333 Boronda Road, Salinas. Free. 757-8085, mchsmuseum.com.