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A charango (from Quechua kirkinchu, armadillo) is a small South American stringed instrument of the lute family, traditionally made with the back of an armadillo as its Quechua name suggests, but today wood is usually used. It has five pairs of strings tuned EAECG.
It originated in the 18th century Andes, probably from Amerindian contact with Spanish settlers.
The charango closely resembles a very small acoustic guitar, and is usually no more than 40 to 60 cm long.