Bi Kidude

Summary

Fatuma binti Baraka (in Arabic: فاطمة بنت بركة) (c. 1910 – 17 April 2013),[1][2] popularly known as Bi Kidude, was a Zanzibari-born Tanzanian Taarab singer. She has been called the "queen of Taarab and Unyago music" and was inspired by Siti binti Saad.[3] Born in the village of Kitumba in modern-day Kati District of Unguja South Region and raised the village of Mfagimaringo, Bi Kidude was the daughter of a coconut seller in colonial Zanzibar. Bi Kidude's exact date of birth is unknown and much of her life story is uncorroborated, but she was believed to be the oldest touring singer in the world before her death. In 2005, Bi Kidude received the WOMEX award for her contribution to music and culture in Zanzibar. She was the subject of two documentaries by film maker Andrew Jones.

Bi Kidude
Born
Fatuma binti Baraka

c. 1910
Died17 April 2013(2013-04-17) (aged 102–103)
NationalityTanzanian
OccupationSinger
StyleTaarab
AwardsWOMEX Award
Medal for Arts and Sports
Musical career
OriginKati District, Unguja South Region, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Genres
InstrumentsVocals • Ngoma drums
Labels
  • Independent

Awards and nominations edit

Honours edit

Order Country Year
  Medal for Arts and Sports   Tanzania 2012

Awards edit

Nominations edit

Popular culture edit

Bangladesh edit

In the south Asian country of Bangladesh, a popular singer and influencer named Bangla Hero Alom sang Bi Kidude's song "Muhogo wa jang'ombe" in a video titled Uganda song, gaining her notoriety in the country.[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b BBC Africa
  2. ^ BBC Swahili
  3. ^ Rachel Hamada (17 April 2013). "Lover of life". Mambo magazine. Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.

External links edit

  • Bi Kidude Honored with World Music Award
  • The Venerable Queen of Taarab and Unyago Archived 2018-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
  • As Old As My Tongue: the myth and life of Bi Kidude documentary film on Bi Kidude.
  • Biographic Notes
  • Some recordings (An interview)