Tidal Swell

Bi Kidude (Little Granny in Kiswahili) was a legend in her own right in Zanzibari culture. Born somewhere around 1910, she lifted the veil on women performing music by playing early versions of Kidumbak, (a drum oriented small ensemble) combined with Taarab (orchestral with Egyptian instruments, violins and drums).

She was a force of nature whom I met often in the streets of Stonetown walking barefoot and smoking cigarettes. Her handshake was a grip of steel and she always had a glint of fierceness in her eyes.

She became involved with unyago, the rite of initiation for young women, a ceremony of transition and empowerment that led the way for many young women. Through these rituals a young woman would be taught about her own sexuality and conjugal life combined with dancing and performances that would last several days. These ceremonies were closed to men and Bi Kidude was a revered mwalimu and legend in her time.