Cajón

Cajón
Percussion instrument
Classification
Hornbostel–Sachs classification111.24
(Percussion vessels)
Developedlate 19th century
Related instruments
Official nameCajón Peruano
TypeIntangible
CriteriaMusic and dances
Designated2 August 2001 (2001-08-02)
Legal basisR.D.N. 798/INC-2001

A cajón (Spanish: [kaˈxon] ka-KHON; "box, crate, drawer") is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front or rear faces (generally thin plywood) with the hands, fingers, or sometimes implements such as brushes, mallets, or sticks.

Cajóns are primarily played in Afro-Peruvian music (specifically música criolla), but have made their way into flamenco as well. The term cajón is also applied to other box drums used in Latin American music, such as the Cuban cajón de rumba and the Mexican cajón de tapeo.