Simaro Lutumba: The Poet Who Shaped Congolese Rumba
Entertainment Updated: 30 January 2026 00:05 EAT
Lutumba Simaro Masiya,was a renowned Congolese poet,songwriter,composer,and rhythm guitarist born in Leopoldville nowadays Kinshasa
Simaro Massiya Lutumba Ndomanueno, widely known as Simaro Lutumba, was one of Africa’s most influential musicians, celebrated for his role as a guitarist, composer, poet, and bandleader in shaping modern Congolese rumba.
He was born on 19 March 1938 in Léopoldville, then part of the Belgian Congo, now known as Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Simaro grew up in a family with roots in Angola and was exposed to a variety of musical influences from an early age, blending traditional Congolese rhythms with Afro-Cuban sounds.
His musical journey began in childhood, when he learned rhythm guitar and started experimenting with composition and lyric writing.
Simaro’s professional career started with Orchestre Micra Jazz, where he honed his skills as a rhythm guitarist and developed the foundation for his signature style.
In 1959, he joined Congo Jazz, a local Kinshasa band that provided him with further exposure to professional music-making.
By 1961, Simaro was recruited into TPOK Jazz, led by the legendary Franco Luambo Makiadi, a band that would dominate Congolese music for decades.
At TPOK Jazz, Simaro quickly became known for his rhythmic precision, compositional talent, and poetic lyrics, earning him the nickname “Le Poète” (The Poet).
He composed many of the band’s most memorable songs, including “Mabele”, which addressed themes of life, mortality, and social reflection.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Simaro served as Vice-President of TPOK Jazz, often acting as Franco’s right-hand man during tours and recordings.
His poetic lyrics and melodies distinguished him in a genre celebrated for its danceable rhythms and complex guitar interplay.
Simaro faced challenges in the late 1970s when he, Franco, and other band members were briefly imprisoned due to songs deemed objectionable by authorities, highlighting tensions between artists and the government.
Despite setbacks, he continued to create hits that defined Congolese rumba, including “Ebale Ya Zaire”, “Testament ya Bowule”, and “Faute Ya Commercant”.
Simaro’s influence was central to TPOK Jazz’s dominance in Africa, guiding the band through creative innovation and maintaining high musical standards.
After Franco’s death in 1989, Simaro assumed greater responsibility for the band, leading its activities until internal disputes led to the group’s dissolution in 1993.
Following the split, he and former band members founded Bana OK (“Children of OK Jazz”) in 1994, continuing to perform and record in the legacy of TPOK Jazz.
Throughout his career, Simaro was revered as a mentor and cultural anchor, nurturing younger musicians and preserving Congolese musical traditions.
His work extended beyond Congo, influencing African musicians worldwide and spreading the appeal of Congolese rumba internationally.
In 2018, at the age of 80, Simaro retired from music, donating his guitar to the National Museum in Kinshasa as a symbol of his lifetime contribution.
He passed away on 30 March 2019 in Paris, France, at the age of 81, after battling diabetes and hypertension.
Simaro Lutumba left behind a legacy as one of the greatest composers and poets of Congolese rumba, shaping African music for generations.
His music and lyrics continue to inspire, reflecting a blend of rhythmic innovation, poetic depth, and cultural pride that cemented his place in African musical history.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD