Zanzibar, Tanzania - Facing stiff competition from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Miriam Makeba and many others, at the recent World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Gateshead Newcastle UK, Bi Kidude bint Baraka of Zanzibar was presented with the WOMEX 2005 Award for her lifetime achievements and contributions to world music.

WOMEX is the world’s premier networking event exclusively dedicated to international music of all kinds. WOMEX 2005 took place 26 - 30 October 2005, at the prestigious Sage Centre in Newcastle Gateshead (UK). Attending were more than 2100 international professionals, 500 musicians, 320 exhibitors representing record companies, festival and concert promoters, agents, cultural institutions, the media and other sectors gathered from more than 84 countries.

A moving tribute to Bi Kidude was delivered by Banning Eyre, musician, author and co-editor of the renowned Afropop website and radio programs, in which he informed delegates that “the singer, well in her nineties yet still sporting a bonecrushing handshake, received the honours in recognition of her more than 80 years of singing and serving as a cultural mediator and advisor of the younger generations, including on matters of sex and marriage – a proper symbol of World Music’s emancipatory, liberating and strengthening power.”

As Bi Kidude walked on stage to accept her reward, the two thousand WOMEX delegates gave her a five-minute standing ovation. A proud day it was indeed for Africa. Many were literally moved to tears as Bi Kidude sang unaccompanied and gave her acceptance speech, which was translated to English by Busara Promotions’ director Yusuf Mahmoud.

In celebration of Bi Kidude’s remarkable life, ScreenStation (UK), in partnership with Busara Promotions is currently putting finishing touches to a feature documentary film “As Old As My Tongue – The Myth and Life of Bi Kidude” which will be screened at festivals and cinemas around the world in 2006. Next year also sees the release of a new CD music compilation on Buda Musique label of Bi Kidude’s greatest recordings, accompanied by Sahib el-Arry, Zanzibar Taarab All Stars, Culture Musical Club, Afro Arab Grooves and Bi Kidude’s very own msondo ngoma group. Furthermore, during February 9th- 14th 2006, audiences at the Sauti za Busara Swahili Music Festival in Zanzibar will have a chance to see a new photographic exhibition centered around Bi Kidude, specially curated by Roger Armstrong of Globestyle/Ace Records (UK).

[Photo 1 © Koh Okabe. All photos courtesy of Busara Promotions].