In 2011, UNESCO inscribed mariachi on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its description states: “El aprendizaje de oído es el principal medio de transmisión de la música mariachi tradicional” (Learning by ear is the main means of transmitting traditional mariachi music). It adds that “las competencias técnicas se transmiten de padres a hijos” (technical skills are passed from parents to children).