The forerunner of the modern instrument, the African bania, was re-created by African slaves in the rural south. There are some early photographs of the bania which indicate that the five string version was also known to the African tradition. The five string banjo as developed in the southern highlands was ideal for the lonely laments of the early country singers. The four string original found its way into Dixieland jazz where it is still retained. It has been most significant in the bluegrass tradition within country music.
Some debate exists with regard to the emergence of the guitar in country music.
The guitar is an instrument of Spanish origin and would likely have been transported to the new world by Spanish colonists. However, the guitar was in the American colonies during the colonial period. Again, the Sears-Roebuck mail order catalog was one of the major sources for the guitar. The Illustrated History of Country Music.