Fatuma binti Baraka (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 in 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 |
Died | 17 April 2013 | (aged 102–103)
Nationality | Tanzanian |
Occupation | Singer |
Style | Taarab |
Awards | WOMEX Award Medal for Arts and Sports |
Musical career | |
Origin | Kati District, Unguja South Region, Zanzibar, Tanzania |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals • Ngoma drums |
Labels |
|
Awards and nominations
editHonours
editOrder | Country | Year | |
---|---|---|---|
Medal for Arts and Sports | 2012 |
Awards
edit- 2005: WOMEX award
Nominations
edit- 2011 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Collaboration & Best Traditional Song ('Ahmada' with Offside trick)
Popular culture
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ BBC Africa
- ^ BBC Swahili
- ^ 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)