Do Spanish Bagpipers Wear Kilts?

As you can see from the picture, the quick answer to the question “Do Spanish Bagpipers Wear Kilts?” is no. Galicia and Asturias, the northwest regions of Spain, may be a Celtic relative to Ireland and Scotland, but the epic kilt is one thing not shared in common. The picture to the left is what a traditional “gaitero” (Spanish bagpiper) wears. As you can see, many women in Galicia and Asturias also play the gaita (Spanish bagpipe) and they have their own traditional clothing as well. The outfits can vary from person, group, and region, but they still maintain the same general look overall. You’ll notice, too, that sometimes they wear some pretty interesting hats (see below). Thanks to a reader, Maria Jenson, I was able to discover the correct name for it—the hat is called a montera picona. As for the history/evolution of the hats, apparently, the pointy triangles sticking up on the hats used to be the same size on both sides and able to come down and cover the ears for warmth in the winter. Over time, the hats became so associated with gaita music and tradition that the general look of the hat became more important than its actual functionality. Today, the triangle on one or both sides of the hat sticks stiff and straight up and is a part of just about every traditional gaitero’s outfit. See below for more pics of traditional gaiteros!

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