Earl Scruggs could tell you this 5-stringed instrument originated in Africa
The book includes a 
detailed explication of the instrument's African origins before the slave trade, ..... 
Earl Scruggs played the banjo so fast, it was even tough for Pete... [DOC] [TLE] ATLAS of Plucked Instruments - banjos [PAR] In North Africa the 4- and 6-string banjo is used in Izenzaren and Oudaden ...