10 ways to remember and honor legendary Bi. Kidude.

Youthful Bi. Kidude

Bi Kidude in the making.

Yalaiti Leo na Kesho peponi. (Today and tomorrow in heaven)

Fatuma Binti Baraka, Bi Kidude
You have come of age and died
But I'll mourn you forever
What a lose of a legendary?

I mourn as I sing,
Mohogo wajamg'ombe
You had a melodious voice
Never will I forget

Zanzibar ooh Zanzibar
The land of your ancestors
Dhows brought in Taarab
You adopted and made it big

Since teenhood to old days
You kept up with music
All shortcoming and circumstances
couldn't ground you down

You are as Thatcher in music
Perhaps why you two are gone
Your were a power house
No doubt you'll be missed

Unyago needs a leader
And you were of such
Who will teach our girls?
Kopa and Bi Chau are crying

Tobacco has lost a market
Youngsters lost a featuring
Taarab will miss you crazily
Sauti za busara cries like a river

Tanzania can't forget your music
Your contribution in GDP
You played a role in tourism
We will always appreciate.

The world wants a monument
Generations will see you in museums
You are a story to be told always
Can't help but accept your lose

Farewell Bi Kidude,
farewell legendary
farewell iron lady
farewell Binti Baraka

The 10 stanzas are the ten ways to remember and honor legendary Bi. Kidude. I dare say it is a tragedy and a lose to Tanzania and the world at large for the lost of our dear legendary of Taarab music. As Thatcher goes to ground so as Bi  Kidude. Your music lead to increase of tourists in Tanzania, who came to see you performing in various occasions like Sauti Za Busara Festival. We are forever greatful to her contribution of Taarab music. R.I.P

Fatuma binti Baraka (aka Bi Kidude) was a Zanzibari Taarab singer. She is considered the undisputed queen of Taarab and Unyago music and is also a protégé of Siti binti Saad. Bi Kidude was born in the village of Mfagimaringo, she was the daughter of a coconut seller in colonial Zanzibar. Bi Kidude's exact date of birth is unknown, much of her life story is uncorroborated, giving her an almost mythical status.

In 2005 Bi Kidude received the prestigious WOMEX award for her outstanding contribution to music and culture in Zanzibar. She died on 17th April 2013. read more about Bi Kidude

Pay your respect to the late Bi Kidude by adding on stanzas or choosing what you think was the best stanta from the poem via comment box. Do you think she deserves a place in the National Museum? If so please be kind to argue with us also via comment box.

Please read a poem on Ruaha National Park here: The Great Ruaha River, what will become of you? 

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Ruaha the largest national park in East Africa is on the verge of death due to global warming.

It is so sad to learn about a place you once knew it for it magnificent breath taking scenery, that things will fall apart soon. The great Ruaha what will become of you? "Its 20 years since this problem started and despite the huge sums spent on research, look where we are now!" I quote that from Ruaha National Park blog. The first time I read the post I was so excited that at last there is some one who cares. To my surprise  it is more than a month now and people are not responding about it. I wonder why people don't even comment and give out their ideas on what could be the possible solution to revive the once known Ruaha the Great River. Ruaha river is found within the 23,000 square kilometres Ruaha National Park. It is refered as the best kept secret of East Africa, may be this is why the bad condition of the river is also not know to many. I wish everyone who loves Tanzania know how the wildlife and the entire nation depends on Ruaha. I wrote this poem to see if it would help. Note that am not a poet forgive my poem if it is not that melodious. 

From right Ruaha as it should be 1996 and left it is dry 2005.

The Great Ruaha River, what will become of you?

Ooh Ruaha, my life source

I cry of you Ruaha the great

I can't stand and watch your death

I mourn before your death comes

You shower me with joy

You protect me from death

You provide me with food

I mourn before your death comes

Am hippo your best friend

I sing, dance, play and give birth

I will die without your existence

I mourn before your death comes

Am the jungle king lion

I hunt what so ever I like

But your death is my death

I mourn before your death comes

As mischievous as I can be

You are what I can't do without

Greetings from Mr. Monkey

I mourn before your death comes

Am giraffe, the majestic one

I walk in pride, your the reason

I bow to worship as I drink

I mourn before your death comes

You speed the cycle of rain

You cool the park with moist

Am afraid, the Sun will kill us

I mourn before your death comes

Global warming, global warming

An International song without respect

You sing without taking measures

What will become of me, Ruaha?

You cut down trees and don't plant

Cultivation is beside me as I speak

Mdonya and others don't reach me

I sit and wonder, what has happen?

Poor me, I love you all

I need your protection as well

Take care of me and I'll respond

Sincerely, Ruaha the great.

Would you be kind this time and share your views and ideas to protest Ruaha and regain it title the great river! kindly comment or email your views here tanzaniatravelclub@gmail.com or donate here at Ruaha National Park

you might like to know more about Ruaha river via Sue Stolberger and the park at Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).

Please read a poem about Legendary the late Taarab artist Bi. Kidude here: Yalaiti Leo na Kesho peponi. (Today and tomorrow in heaven)

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