Gaita gastoreña
Hornpipe native to El Gastor, a region of Andalucia, Spain
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The gaita gastoreña is a type of hornpipe native to El Gastor, a region of Andalucia, Spain.[1] It consists of a simple reed, a wooden tube in its upper part, and a resonating bell of horn in its lower part. Such instruments are only found outside El Gastor in Madrid and in the Basque Country (see: alboka).[1]
Background
Traditionally, the gaita gastoreña was played from November on.[1] The youth played the hornpipe around the fire for entertainment during the long nights at the close of the year.[1] After the end of the Christmas festivities, the hornpipe would not be played until the following year.[1]
Currently, the hornpipe is played for the festivals of Corpus Christi and Christmas in El Gastor.[1]
The instrument was a pastoral instrument, probably played by shepherds.[1]