Banjo

The banjo is a stringed instrument with African roots, now central to Southern and Appalachian music. In regional speech and songs, it’s often pronounced "banjer."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia

synonyms: five-string banjo, clawhammer banjo

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I have a banjo - but I can't do a thing with it. I'm not sure how common they are to own.

Pronunciation

[BAN-joe] /ˈbæn.dʒoʊ/ (standard) [BAN-jer] /ˈbæn.dʒɚ/ (Southern/Appalachian)

Meaning & Usage

- A stringed instrument with a round body and long neck (noun)

Elmer:

He’s been playin’ that banjer since he was knee-high.

Estel:

Sounds like home to me.

variations: banjer

★ If you see "banjer" in a folk song lyric or hear it in Appalachia, it’s the same instrument as the banjo - just a regional pronunciation. ★

Origin

Derived from African instruments such as the akonting and banza, brought to America by enslaved Africans in the 17th-18th centuries. The banjo became central to Southern and Appalachian folk music in the 19th century. "Banjer" is a regional pronunciation preserved in traditional speech and songs.

Notes

Common across Appalachia and the rural South, both as an instrument and as "banjer" in dialect.
"Banjer" spelling reflects pronunciation; the standard spelling remains "banjo."
Often appears in folk songs, ballads, and oral histories.

Kin Topics

Appalachia

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "banjer" a different instrument?

No - it’s just the Southern/Appalachian pronunciation of "banjo."

Where is it used?

Throughout the South and Appalachia, especially in traditional music contexts.

Is it still played today?

Yes - the banjo remains a mainstay of bluegrass, old-time, and folk music.