Bi Kidude (c. 1910–2013), born Fatuma binti Baraka, was a legendary Tanzanian taarab and unyago singer from Zanzibar, widely celebrated as the "Queen of Taarab." Her exact date of birth is unconfirmed, lending her life story a mythical quality. As a protégé of the pioneering artist Siti binti Saad, Bi Kidude carried on the tradition of female singers breaking social taboos in a conservative society. At age 13, she fled a forced marriage, embarking on a remarkable journey that included a period on the mainland where she sang with various taarab groups. Upon returning to Zanzibar in the 1940s, she settled into her role not just as a musician, but also as a healer, henna artist, and expert in Unyago, the female coming-of-age ritual.
Bi Kidude gained international acclaim late in her life, particularly in the 1980s, and continued to perform globally well into her nineties and beyond. Her music was a vibrant mix of traditional taarab, often featuring her as a strong drummer, and the rhythmic kidumbak style. A true cultural revolutionary, she was known for her outspoken, often sexually explicit lyrics that challenged male behavior and for her personal defiance—performing with her face uncovered, smoking, and drinking in public, challenging the conservative norms of Muslim society. She was recognized for her contributions to world music with a WOMEX Award in 2005.