Description:
The Cajita is a struck percussion instrument in the form a tapered
wooden box with a lid attached to the top. It is found in in the north
western coastal region of Peru. Particularly around Lima, the cajita is
played in percussion and instrumental ensembles in Afro-Peruvian
communities. The cajita is played by opening up and closing the lid,
while striking the sides or the lid to achieve five different sounds.
There are three sizes of cajita the specimen in the photo is a lead
cajita. The largest of the three sizes is a cajita the bass it also the
lowest sounding of the three. The cajita is played by rapidly opening
up and closing the lid. The lid is attached to the cajita using brass
cabinet hinges. On my specimen of cajita the striker is from a piece of
lathed wood originally intended for the repair of furniture. The cajita
is a "time keeper" that regulates the tempo of the melody.