Gaita gastoreña

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]

Gaita gastoreña at the Museo de Usos y Costumbres Populares in El Gastor.

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]