Kikwete leads hundreds at Bi Kidude’s burial

President Jakaya Kikwete led hundreds of mourners who turned up to pay their last respects to the icon of Taarab music in Tanzania, Fatma Binti Baraka alias Bi Kidude, before she was laid to rest at Kitumba Village, about 20 kilometers, Western of Unguja Island on Thursday.Bi Kidude, the prestigious WOMEX award winner died in Bububu on Wednesday where she was living under the care of her relatives in the last few months. Her remains were taken to the Zanzibar central mosque ‘Mushawar’ in the Stone Town before driving to Kitumba.Mourners including Taarab music lovers, artistes from Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania, as well as top leaders led by President Kikwete braved few minutes rain to bury Bi Kidude at Kitumba village.Other leaders who opted not to miss escorting the Taarab legendary to her last journey were Zanzibar President Ali Mohamed Shein, First and Second Vice-Presidents-- Seif Sharif Hamad and Seif Ali Iddi respectively, and the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Said Meck Sadiki.Music promoters led by officials from the Sauti za Busara Music Festival, were also at the funeral. Prior to the burial ceremony, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ali Abdallah Ali, postponed the House session to allow lawmakers to attend the funeral.

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Kikwete leads hundreds at Bi Kidude’s burial