Maskandi (also Maskanda)[1] is a form of Zulu folk music, originally associated with migrant workers,[1] that is evolving with South African society.
[2] Often characterised by a picking guitar style which draws on a variety of historical influences[3] it also has an important social function with players being given sanction to publicly criticise powerful people.
"[8] Nowadays it is no longer just the exclusive domain of men and women, most notably the late Busi Mhlongo, have become prominent figures within the genre.
[citation needed] In a Maskandi song, there will typically be rapidly spoken sections of Zulu praise poetry, called "izibongo".
The content is not always praise, though, and with pop, house and other influences colouring Maskandi, it has become more about the storytelling ethic and the modern migrant culture, than simply about the musical style.
KwaZulu Natal, a province of South Africa where I have lived and worked for the past decade, is home to literally thousands of 'Maskandis', who have developed a rich musical repertoire employing a special style of guitar playing.