8 Typical musical instruments from Peru

Peruvian music didn’t come from one place or one culture. It grew from thousands of years of Andean civilization, shaped by the Inca empire, transformed by the African diaspora, and enriched by Spanish influence after the conquest. The result is one of the most diverse musical traditions in Latin America — and the instruments that carry it are as fascinating as the history behind them.

Here are eight traditional instruments from Peru, where they come from, and where you can still hear them played today.

1. Charango

The charango is a small stringed instrument roughly 63 centimeters long, born in the Andean highlands after the arrival of the Spanish. Its five pairs of double strings produce a bright, distinctive sound that became central to the music of Apurímac, Huancavelica, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, and especially Ayacucho — where local traditions have developed their own variations of the instrument over generations.

2. Zampoña

One of the oldest instruments in the Andes, the zampoña traces its origins to the Wari culture of the 5th century. It’s a pan flute made of 13 parallel tubes of varying diameters and lengths, each producing a different note. Today it remains a living instrument in the southern Andean regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Apurímac, and Puno, where it’s still played at festivals and community celebrations.

You may interest: Unmissable tourist sites of Puno and Titicaca

3. Cajon

The cajón is Peru’s most globally recognized instrument — a rectangular wooden box that the player sits on and strikes with their hands. Its origins are Afro-Peruvian, created by enslaved people in the 14th century as a way to preserve rhythm and musical tradition under colonial restriction. It gained wider recognition in the 19th century through festejo and other Afro-Peruvian rhythms, and today it’s deeply associated with the coastal towns of San Luis de Cañete and El Carmen de Chincha. The cajón has since traveled far beyond Peru and is now used in flamenco, jazz, and contemporary music worldwide.

4. Quena

The quena is a vertical flute with seven holes, traditionally made from cane, wood, or bone. When the Inca Empire was at its height, the quena’s sound traveled across the Tahuantinsuyo. Today it remains the defining instrument of the central Peruvian highlands, particularly in Junín, Huancavelica, Huánuco, and Pasco, where it gives voice to the different folkloric styles of each region.

5. Andean harp

The harp arrived in Peru with the Spanish conquistadors, but Andean musicians adapted it and made it entirely their own. The Peruvian Andean harp is now one of the essential instruments in sung huaynos, played widely from Áncash down to the south of Cusco. Two of the most recognized regional versions are the rounded harp of Ayacucho and the wider-bodied harp of Huancayo — each with its own distinct character and sound.

6. Pututu

The pututu is a wind instrument made from a large marine conch shell, capable of producing a deep, carrying sound that travels across long distances. In the Inca Empire, chasquis — the relay runners who carried messages across the empire — used it to announce their arrival at each checkpoint along the road network. Today the pututu is still played in Cusco, where it’s an indispensable presence during ceremonies like Inti Raymi and Easter Week.

7. Cajamarca Clarin

At up to four meters long, the Cajamarca clarín is one of the most visually striking wind instruments in Peru. It’s primarily played in the rural areas of Cajamarca, though it also appears in city concerts and has even been incorporated into contemporary Peruvian rock. In 2008, the National Institute of Culture declared the clarín cajamarquino a Cultural Patrimony of the Nation — recognition of its importance to the region’s identity.

8. Bandurria cusqueña

A close cousin of the mandolin, the bandurria cusqueña is a beloved instrument in Cusco with four sets of double, triple, or quadruple strings. It’s the go-to instrument for huaynos, qashwas, and other traditional genres of the region. According to local Andean belief, a musician should tune their bandurria while listening to the song of a mermaid — a ritual said to give their playing the power to move hearts.

Hear These Instruments Live in Peru

The best way to experience these instruments isn’t on a recording — it’s in person. Festivals like Inti Raymi in Cusco, the Carnival of Cajamarca, and the Fiesta de la Candelaria in Puno bring many of these instruments together in their natural context, surrounded by the communities that have kept them alive for centuries.

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FAQs:

What are some traditional musical instruments from Peru?

Peru has a rich musical heritage with traditional instruments such as the charango, zampoña, cajón, quena, Andean harp, pututu, Cajamarca clarín, and the bandurria cusqueña. These instruments are used in various regional musical styles and have deep cultural significance.

Where can you find the quena being played in Peru?

The quena is a significant wind instrument that is mainly played in the central highlands of Peru, including regions like Junín, Huancavelica, Huánuco, and Pasco. It is known for its sweet and melodic sound, traditionally made from cane, wood, or bone.

What is the origin of the Peruvian cajón?

The Peruvian cajón is a percussion instrument of Afro-Peruvian origin. It was created by enslaved people in the 14th century and gained prominence in the 19th century with the rise of Afro-Peruvian music, especially in coastal areas like San Luis de Cañete and El Carmen de Chincha.