It's a charango, but not as we know it

Home again, somewhat exhausted after playing six concerts and driving 750 miles in four days.

This picture shows one of the weirdest instruments I have ever seen. This is Ernesto Cavour playing his 'Little Star' charango. It provides a little light relief in a largely incomprehensible academic article on The Charango as Transcultural Icon of Andean Music. Maybe when I grow up I will understand what 'mental syncretism' means.