cajón

The cajón, Spanish for "box," is a box-shaped percussion instrument played by hand. It originated in Peru in Afro-Peruvian communities during the 19th century, where it was used as a stand-in drum when other percussion was restricted. The player sits on the box and strikes the front face, or tapa, which is typically made of thin plywood. The body is usually a hollow wooden box with one or more sound holes behind the tapa to shape resonance. Modern variants may include an internal snare system or strings that give a dry, rattling texture.

Construction varies: common cajones are about 30–50 cm long and 20–25 cm high, with tapa thickness around 1–2 cm. Some models are larger or lighter for portability. The tapa is struck with the palms, fingers, and sometimes the fingertips, producing a low bass tone from the center and higher tones along the edges; players can mute with the non-striking hand or the thigh.

History and use: the cajón was adopted into flamenco and has become common in many forms of Latin, world, and contemporary music. It is valued for its portability, relatively simple construction, and ability to simulate drumset patterns without additional hardware.

Variations: some cajones include built-in snares, adjustable tuning, or alternative tapa materials. Accessories may include stands or ergonomic seating.