The Inventor of 'Cumbia Mashá'

Roger Bardales is the creator of the musical genre known as “Cumbia Masha.” He combines the lyrics and spirit of the Shipibo sacred songs called “Ikaros” with the rhythm and flavor of cumbia. His style has been adopted by many other Shipibo artists, giving rise to a new musical genre.

His band, “Orquesta Internacional Mokanranko,” has enjoyed many musical successes and has performed at exclusive concerts throughout the Amazon Region as well as in the highlands.

For many indigenous youth, Roger Bardales represents an idol and a role model—a young Shipibo-Konibo man who has overcome socio-economic barriers. To reach where he is today, Roger has had to overcome many obstacles due to the discrimination and racism that, unfortunately, still exist in Peru today.