Meaning
The plucked, drum-bodied string instrument that gives mento its bright, chiming melody line, strummed alongside the guitar, rhumba box, and scraper in the old-time Jamaican country band. Of African-American origin (itself with African roots), the banjo has long been part of the folk-music tradition, and its cheerful ringing tone is a signature of mento.
Examples
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Him pick a lively tune pon di banjo.
He picks a lively tune on the banjo.
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Di banjo an di rhumba box carry di mento.
The banjo and the rhumba box carry the mento.
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Di banjo ring out bright.
The banjo rings out bright.
Origin
From 'banjo' (of African/African-American origin); a mento melody instrument. See [[mento]], [[rhumba-box]].
How it’s used
The plucked string instrument of mento's melody. See [[mento]], [[rhumba-box]].