Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist

Subject: Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 07:25 AM

I was at a jazz concert recently, where the drummer produced what looked like a plywood box with a built in resonator. Sitting astride this instrument, he proceeded to beat out the rhythm with his hands. Afterwards he told the audience that this was a Peruvian drum, called a cuhawn; or some such spelling, That's about as near to it as I can phonetically get.

I am curious because, despite having an interest in Peruvian music, I don't recall coming across instrument before. Also, the way the word was pronounced, it sounded very close to cojone, which is Spanish for a male testical. Has somebody been winding somebody else up?

Subject: RE: Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 07:50 AM

Cajon. Originally a packing crate, but gone upmarket, sometimes with an added snare inside.

They've got hugely popular in the last three years or so - look in any music shop.

Subject: RE: Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 08:00 AM

Cajons are the new bodhrans.

Subject: RE: Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 08:20 AM

a you tube demo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-IMARby9gA

Subject: RE: Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 08:23 AM

We saw them for sale in the 'Indian Market' in Lima, I guess they are just part of the globalisation of something or other.

L in C

Subject: RE: Peruvian Cuhawns do they exist
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 10:45 AM

Thanks for the information. The cajon in the Youtube demo looks just like the one I saw, and she pronounced the word in exactly the same way.