Mestre Damasceno

Origin

Salvaterra, PA

Years active

1973

Genres

carimbó, folklore, mpb

Instruments

percussion, banjo, violão

Biography

Mestre Damasceno was a celebrated Brazilian singer, songwriter, and artistic director, widely recognized as a master of carimbó and the creator of the unique "Búfalo-Bumbá" folk tradition in Pará. Born in Salvaterra, he spent his early years immersed in the cultural traditions of his community, eventually moving to Belém where he expanded his musical horizons and became a defining voice of Marajoara culture. Over his decades-long career, he composed hundreds of songs, founded the Conjunto de Carimbó Nativos Marajoara, and helped preserve the rich folklore of the Amazon region.

Throughout his life, Mestre Damasceno received numerous accolades for his immense contributions to Brazilian popular culture, including being named a Master of Carimbó by IPHAN and receiving the prestigious Order of Cultural Merit. His work was officially declared an intangible cultural heritage of the State of Pará, cementing his legacy in Brazilian music history. He collaborated and performed alongside notable artists such as Pinduca and Mestre Ronaldo Silva, inspiring generations of musicians and cultural preservationists before his passing in 2025.