The Cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument that originated in colonial Peru. Enslaved West Africans, who were banned from using traditional drums, repurposed wooden shipping crates used for fruit or fish as instruments. The player sits on top of the box and strikes the front face (the 'tapa'), which is made of thinner wood. By hitting different parts of the tapa—the edges for a high-pitched 'slap' and the center for a deep bass 'thud'—the player can mimic a full drum kit. In the 1970s, Paco de Lucía introduced the Cajón to Flamenco music, often adding guitar strings or snares inside the box to create a 'sizzle' sound. Today, it is one of the most popular percussion instruments for acoustic sessions because of its portability and versatility.