Guitarra paraguaya
The harp's inseparable partner: the base of the polka, the guarania and the great guitarists.
What it is
The guitar arrived with the Spanish and spread in the Jesuit missions alongside the harp and violin. In Paraguay it became the accompaniment for nearly all popular music: polkas, guaranias, compuestos and serenades. In the 20th century a Paraguayan guitar school emerged, driven by Gustavo Sosa Escalada, and classical guitar reached world fame through Agustín Pío Barrios 'Mangoré', called 'the Paganini of the guitar of the Paraguayan jungle'. Luque has a tradition of building guitars and harps.
Did you know…?
In Guaraní the guitar is also called mbaraka.
Listen to
Pair a guitar-and-harp polka with a classical guitar piece by Mangoré to see the two worlds of the instrument.
Music & dance
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 4 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.