The cajon (pronounced ka-HONE) is a box-shaped percussion instrument, usually made out of a thin wood such as plywood. It's played by slapping the front face of the box with the hands with the person seated on the box.
The cajon is thought to have originated out of Peru from later nineteenth century slaves. The theory is that shipping crates used to transport codfish were used to make the first cajon. Shipping crates were easily accessible for Peruvian slaves at the time and, since they were banned from listening to or playing music, it was important to play something that wouldn't be easily identified as a musical instrument. Today, the instrument has evolved to include a presence in modern-day Cuban styles, rumba, flamenco, and many other Western musical genres (including various "unplugged" sessions for Western rock bands).
The modern cajon has various screws at the top for adjusting the timbre. You may also find stretched cords pressed against the tapa (the hole opposite the striking surface) for a buzz-like effect. Cajons can also be played with brushes made from metal or plastic for varying sounds.
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