Since I was a child I have always been proud of where I am from. I always remember celebrating a very special day in my country called "El Dia de la Canción Criolla," where everyone honors the Creole culture of Peru. While celebrating, I always thought about a very particular percussion instrument called the “cajon”. I saw black people playing it on television and since my father comes from a family of African descent, I've always had this instrument in mind. After reading its story, I am even more proud of where I come from, because it was created by Africans taken as slaves in Peru. The use of drums was banned by the Catholic Church for considering them pagan. Percussion being the main and divine factor of all African music, black slaves were forced to look for instruments with which they could express themselves. They soon saw in the wooden crates used to transport merchandise a great percussion instrument, thus using them in their sacred rites and in their different artistic manifestations. Now I see that this object is really important to my identity as a Peruvian. Multiculturalism is a part of me, and I will continue to influence it by sharing more incredible stories like this one about my beautiful country.

– S.S.

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant