Bi Kidude

 While there’s life, there’s hope

     -Cicero, Letters to Atticus

When I first heard of Bi Kidude and later wrote an article about her, I had no idea that she was going to influence me in a profound way. Lately, I have been watching her songs particularly “Kijiti”, “Muhogo wa Jang’ombe”, “Alamidura” and even “Ahmada” which she sang with Off Side Trick (O,that name, mmmh). At more than 95 years of age, she still sings powerfully.Kijiti is one of the saddest songs I have ever watched and watching keenly Bi Kidude’s face as she sang it, I have never felt so moved by a song as she does.

Read an article I wrote about her: Bi Kidude, As Old as my Tongue.

You might also want to watch Bi Kidude's Taarab song, Kijiti, and let me hear what you have to say about it:

I also remember listening to "Muhogo wa Jang'ombe" when I was still a child and never knew that this wonderful woman was the one who had sang it. Graceful is the song. And don't you love the strength in this woman's voice?

~

Credit

Bi Kidude,

Niambie bibie, naomba kujua,

Msukumo watoa wapi?

Ni kipi kinakupa nguvu?

Bi Kidude

Tell me grandma, so that I may know,

What drives you?

What motivates you?

Kijiti.

Nikikutizama, wanataarab na vyombo

Nawe umesimama kidude

Kisha uimbe kuhusu kijiti

Kijiti.

When I look at you, fellow Taarab singers

You standing straight

Ready to belt out “Kijiti”

Bi Kidude,

Niambie bibie, naomba kujua,

Msukumo watoa wapi?

Ni kipi kinakupa nguvu?

O, Bi Kidude

Tell me grandma, so that I may know,

What drives you?

What motivates you?