Charango
Ch'araku (Quechua)
🌍 Bolivia · Peru
The Andes' tiny ten-string lute — bright and jangly as a mountain stream
Amy says:
¡Hola! I'm Amy! The charango is the tiny guitar of the Andes — but don't let its small size fool you! Those 10 strings produce a bright, cascading sound like a mountain stream. Traditionally made from an armadillo shell, the charango is made mostly of wood now (to protect armadillos!). It sits at the heart of Andean music — folk songs about the mountains, love, and the land. Bolivian and Peruvian musicians have made it internationally famous!
Quick Facts
Strings
10 strings in 5 double courses
Size
~60 cm long (very small)
Traditional body
Armadillo shell (now mostly wood)
Origin
Andean Bolivia/Peru
Discover the Charango
The traditional charango body was made from the shell of an armadillo (specifically a mulita armadillo) — the animals were so revered in Andean culture that using their shells to make music was considered a spiritual act.
Instrument Type
String
Known As
Ch'araku (Quechua)
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC licence)
For Educators
Music is a universal language! Use this page to spark classroom discussions about culture, history, and how music connects communities around the world.
Did You Know?
Bolivia now prohibits the use of armadillo shells for charango making — all commercially sold instruments use wood. But traditional artisans in rural areas still occasionally make shell instruments for ceremonial use.
The double courses of strings (two strings per note, like a 12-string guitar) create a chorus effect — the slight tuning difference between each pair gives charango its characteristic shimmering sound.
The Charango World Festival (Festival Mundial del Charango) is held annually in Bolivia — attracting hundreds of players from across South America for competitions and concerts.
What Makes the Charango Special?
Instrument of the Andes
The charango was developed by Andean peoples after Spanish colonisers introduced the lute — indigenous musicians adapted the European design, replacing the body with local armadillo shells in a uniquely South American creation.
Huayno Music
Huayno is the most ancient and widespread musical genre of the Andes — played at weddings, festivals, and markets. The charango is central to huayno, its bright, jangly sound carrying across mountain villages.
International Folk Icon
The charango has been adopted by Latin folk singers across Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and beyond. Musicians like Jaime Torres (Argentina) took it to concert halls in Europe and North America.
Keep Exploring the World!
Music is the heartbeat of every culture. Discover more incredible instruments and the countries where they are played.