This topic actually came up in the "Worst of Folk Category" but there was some question as to whether the "Pan Pipe Buskers" seen all over the place. Usually it's four or five Indian looking young men with pan pipes, a guitar, and that instrument made from an armadillo shell - the name escapes me for now. I speak fluent Spanish and during the 80's most of my work in the music area was in Latin American music - used to work as a strolling guitarist in a Mexican restaurant (I collect Corridos - Ballads from the Mexican Revolutionary period) and also used to sing with Mariachi groups. So much for my "credentials" unimpressive as they may be. But out of curiosity I often struck up conversations with these "pan pipe buskers" who usually seemed to come from Peru and Ecuador. They were frequently seen in the New York subway corridors. Their story as told to me is quite interesting. Most of them are Inca or Ayamara indians and part of their culture is going on a "quest" - a far journey and it's part of their coming of age tradition - gains them quite a bit of respect when they return. New York, Paris, London etc. is about as far away as you can get in many senses of the word from their mountain villages. They all speak Spanish but heavily accented and among themselves they speak Quechua or Ayamara. I think most of these guys are for real. I enjoy their music and always contribute something monetarily. I always thought New York City must have been quite a culture shock.