Bi Kidude: Zanzibara, Vol. 4: Diva of Zanzibari Music

Buda Musique 860141
(www.bn.com)

Zanzibar, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean that forms part of the East African nation of Tanzania, is home to Bi Kidude, who was born around 1921. A triumphant singer with the raspy voice of a village wisewoman, Bi’s profound knowledge of herbs and remedies has given her a reputation as a healer, and her songs in the Swahili genre of Taarab (literally, “affecting music”) offer comforting and health-giving horse sense.
On this rollicking, inspiring new CD, Bi sings about “Beru,” a man who was “broken because he meddled in other people’s affairs . . . He has lost all respect.” Another song, “Muhogo wa Jang’ombe” (“Moonshine from the Suburbs”) sagely advises female listeners: “Don’t use abusive language against midwives / you might be pregnant at that very moment.”

Still touring in France, England, and Japan, Bi explains: “When I sing, I feel like a 14-year-old girl again . . . I sing with all my strength and continue to make people happy.” The subject of a recent documentary feature film, As Old as My Tongue: the Myth and Life of Bi Kidude (asoldasmytongue.net), Bi is accompanied here by an ensemble containing violin, drum, and oud, the ancient Iraqi instrument praised for its healing powers. We feel nurtured and educated by this strong, experienced voice. One critic recently wrote about Bi, “She’s still got the power.”