Sixto Silgado 'Paito' represents the "gaitas" ensemble (flutes accompanied by alegre, llamador and tambora drums) at its most lively and dynamic, preserving its original expressiveness and revitalising it with his own sensibility. Now recognised as a direct descendant of the interaction of Colombia's three major peoples (Whites, Blacks and Indians), gaitas music is enjoying a remarkable rebirth. In recent decades, gaita has become an integral part of the concept of Colombian identity. It represents "the encounter of three peoples who formed into one, with the birth of Colombian music." Although the term gaita is used for bagpipes in Spain and Bulgaria, and for an oboe in North Africa, the Colombian name applies to a straight flute. About 90cms long, the Colombian gaita is made from the heart of a cactus, with a head made from a mixture of beeswax and charcoal. Gaitas are female (five apertures) and male (two apertures), the two of which are played together.