Brief history:
Mozambique located in southeastern Africa, gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. Between then and now the country has battled civil wars, famine and most recent a flood in 2001 and 2002 that destroyed most of its infrastructure. Considered one of the poorest countries in the world, more than half of Mozambicans live on less than $1 a day.
Mozambique (Moçambique) was named after Muça Alebique, a sultan.
World Music:
Mussukos:Niassa by Feliciano Dos Santos
Despite the poverty, one musician from Mozambique Feliciano Dos Santos who to help change in Mozambique through music. His Massukos band sing songs in the local tribal language that aims to teach people about the basics of sanitation. Dos Santos founded an organization called Estamos to help provide clean water and build eco-friendly sand latrines that prevents contamination and spread of diseases. The waste they discovered can be turned into high grade fertilizer.
Below is a "Niassa" song from Dos Santos album "Bumping." Nisassa is the name of the northern province where Dos Santos grew up. The song connects to the Unieros theme of one love. The lyrics say I'm not ashamed to be born in poor place and I will sing loud about the place I'm born.The message from song is simple: Don't forget where you come from and try to do some good while you are here.
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