String instrument A conchera[1] or concha is Mexican stringed-instrument, plucked by concheros dancers.

The instruments were important to help preserve elements of native culture from Eurocentric-Catholic suppression.

At least one person, not involved in the tradition, has speculated that the birth of the instrument might be closer to the mid-18th century.

"[1] They copied the violin, the chirimia (a primitive version of the Oboe that came from the Muslims of North Africa), the lute, and the mandolin (or its predecessors the vandola or gittern).

[7] This name reflects the fact that the early Conchero dancers were able to encrypt the precolumbian rhythms and steps of their agrarian rituals into the musical chords of the guitars and mandolins.