Machete (musical instrument)

The machete (Portuguese: machete de braga) is a small stringed instrument from Madeira, Portugal. The instrument has four metal strings, in contrast to its slightly larger cousin, the machete de rajão, which has five metal strings. Historians believe the machete was introduced in Madeira as Braguinha from Braga, and it is the immediate predecessor of the ukulele, being introduced to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th century. See also cavaquinho.