What is "charango"

n. (context musical instruments English) A South American stringed instrument, rather like a small guitar, traditionally made from the shell of an armadillo

The charango is a small Andean stringed instrument of the lute family, which probably originated in the Quechua and Aymara populations in post-Columbian times, after European stringed instruments were introduced by the Spanish in the times of the colony. The instrument is widespread today throughout the Andean regions of Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina, where it is a popular musical instrument which exists in many variant forms.

About 66 cm long, the charango was traditionally made with the shell from the back of an armadillo (quirquincho, mulita), but also it can be made of wood, which some believe to be a better resonator. Wood is more commonly used in modern instruments. Charangos for children may also be made from calabash. Many contemporary charangos are now made with different types of wood. It typically has 10 strings in five courses of 2 strings each, but many other variations exist.

The charango is primarily played in traditional Andean music, but is sometimes used by other Latin American musicians. A charango player is called a charanguista.

Charango is an album by the British group Morcheeba, released in the first week of July 2002 through Warner Bros. Records. It also appeared as a limited edition 2-CD version with a second CD containing instrumental versions of all the tracks. The album included a number of guest-appearances ranging from the singer Kurt Wagner, rapper Slick Rick, singer Miriam Stockley and bassplayer Pino Palladino. The album became one of the most successful ones for the band, reaching the top ten in the UK charts.

The Japanese version includes a bonus track, "I'd Rather Kill Us (Than Watch You Leave)", also present on the "Way Beyond" single.