The term 'Mandolins' Kin' refers to two stringed instruments related to the mandolin: lutes and ukuleles. Lutes are a family of plucked string instruments with a long neck and a deep round back, originating in the Middle East and dating back to antiquity. Ukuleles are a small four-stringed instrument of Portuguese origin, developed in Hawaii in the 19th century. Both lutes and ukuleles are similar to mandolins in that they are stringed instruments with fretted necks and are played by plucking the strings.