It is carved from one block of wood (usually cedar[1]) or from dry fibers of Bejuco, and is shaped like a small guitar.

It uses five strings, which initially were: dry reed fibers, horsehair, later today guts and nylon.

[6] The mejoranera is used in many of the folkloric music in Panama, but most importantly within songs that are themselves called "mejoranas".

These mejoranas are romantic ballads that are sung exclusively by men in the community in either the privacy of their own home or at public celebrations.

For this same reason, there is a heavy importance in the mejoranera, for they are the primary instrument of choice for these men who sing mejoranas.