I've been reading about this but have made no comment because I have NO IDEA about the origin. As Crow Hugger said, it's like asking about the origin of the drum. There were and are banjoey things everywhere. The real point of this question is in all of the interesting thoughts and information it has brought out. Now how about the future of the banjo? Evidently it has not been entirely replaced by the electric guitar. Will there be an electric banjo? (One shudders at the thought) Will the banjo's popularity again fade? == Johnny in Oklahoma City