The peasants of this island, almost without exception, play on the guitar, or some stringed instrument of a similar construction.

Combe, William: A History of Madeira. London: R. Ackermann 1821, S. 77

The same book also features a group of „country musicians“, one of whom holds a violin and two small guitars:

These guitars (braguinha and rajão) are direct forerunners of the ukulele. One of the immigrants from Madeira was the most successful producer of ukuleles in early times, Manuel Nunes, who also claimed to have invented the ukulele.

At this hour the peasantry may be seen returning to their homes in little parties of four or five, each group being accompanied by a musician playing on the national instrument, the machetes, or guitarette, and singing some plaintive air in which, occasionally, all join. No sooner has one group passed, than the sweet, soft intonations of other songster are heard approaching. Sometimes two or even more parties will enter the street at the same time, when they at once take up alternate parts, and that, with such perfect taste and harmony, that when the notes begin to die away in the distance, the listener's ear is aching with attention. These songs are usually of their own composition, and are improvised for the occasion.¹⁾

The people take a great delight in singing in a high monotone and playing on the guitar and the native regàs and machete. When they play in concert on a calm evening it is tolerably effective, and some few of them attain a wonderful execution and excellence; but their instruments are of an inferior order.²⁾

Schoolkids in Funchal (Madeira) with Braguinhas (2017)