Before the arrival of the Spaniards in Peru during the sixteenth century, the Aymara Indians had a rich musical tradition of flutes, whistles, and panpipes. However, the conquistadors introduced a new element to this music when they brought the stringed instrument to the Andean region. This collection of Peruvian folk music showcases a well cultivated musical tradition and the adaptation of European instruments to suit the needs of the colonized as demonstrated by the charango – a smaller mandolin with traditional Aymara tuning.