Massukos

Massukos is an acclaimed Mozambican band from the Niassa province, renowned for fusing traditional Mozambican rhythms with Afrobeat and Reggae, using music to promote social causes such as sanitation and human rights.

 

Led by Feliciano dos Santos, who also heads the NGO Estamos, the band has achieved national and international success with albums like Kuimba kwa Massuko and Bumping, performing at major festivals including WOMAD and Glastonbury.

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Formed in Lichinga, Niassa, in the early 1990s after the civil war, the band's mission was to promote local culture and address social issues. The name "Massukos" (referring to a wild fruit) symbolises the band's goal of "satisfying spiritual hunger" through music.

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Their debut album, Kuimba kwa Massuko, sold over 80,000 copies, earning a Gold Record and was named Mozambique's Best Album of 2002. They have performed at prestigious international festivals in the UK (WOMAD, Glastonbury), Japan, and Portugal, establishing themselves as cultural ambassadors.

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Regarded as national treasures, Massukos exemplify how music can be a powerful tool for both entertainment and social change, inspiring musicians and activists alike.