This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25306663

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Congo rumba star Tabu Ley Rochereau mourned in Kinshasa Congo rumba star Tabu Ley Rochereau mourned in Kinshasa
(about 13 hours later)
Thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have attended the state funeral of rumba star Tabu Ley Rochereau in the capital, Kinshasa.Thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have attended the state funeral of rumba star Tabu Ley Rochereau in the capital, Kinshasa.
The day has been declared a national holiday and the funeral service took place at the parliament.The day has been declared a national holiday and the funeral service took place at the parliament.
Tabu Ley, who died last month, wrote more 3,000 songs during his long career and was popular across much of Africa.Tabu Ley, who died last month, wrote more 3,000 songs during his long career and was popular across much of Africa.
Speaking during the service, musician Koffi Olomide called for 9 December to be declared "national rumba day".Speaking during the service, musician Koffi Olomide called for 9 December to be declared "national rumba day".
Tabu Ley was one of the pioneers of Congolese rumba, known as soukous, with lyrics usually sung in the local Lingala language.Tabu Ley was one of the pioneers of Congolese rumba, known as soukous, with lyrics usually sung in the local Lingala language.
Soukous comes from the French word for shake "secouer" and its dancers are renowned for their erotic moves.Soukous comes from the French word for shake "secouer" and its dancers are renowned for their erotic moves.
''Tabu Ley Rochereau, our master, our guide and our father, was and will forever be the pride of the Congolese nation," Mr Olomide, who is also a popular rumba musician, told the gathering of politicians, including the president, and other dignitaries.''Tabu Ley Rochereau, our master, our guide and our father, was and will forever be the pride of the Congolese nation," Mr Olomide, who is also a popular rumba musician, told the gathering of politicians, including the president, and other dignitaries.
"And so, respectfully, we ask President Joseph Kabila and his government to officially make the day of Tabu Ley's passing the national day for Congolese rumba and Congolese musicians.''"And so, respectfully, we ask President Joseph Kabila and his government to officially make the day of Tabu Ley's passing the national day for Congolese rumba and Congolese musicians.''
'Inspiration''Inspiration'
The BBC's Maud Jullien in Kinshasa says the parliament building is covered in posters of the man his fans call "Seigneur Tabu Ley". The BBC's Maud Jullien in Kinshasa says the parliament building is covered in posters of the man his fans call "Seigneur Ley".
People of all ages came to pay their last tributes to the musician, she says.People of all ages came to pay their last tributes to the musician, she says.
"I didn't go to school because I wanted to pay a tribute to Tabu Ley, a monument of African music," 18-year-old Joachim, who was amongst the crowd outside parliament, told the BBC"I didn't go to school because I wanted to pay a tribute to Tabu Ley, a monument of African music," 18-year-old Joachim, who was amongst the crowd outside parliament, told the BBC
"His songs have become classics, and his lyrics are so true, even if he is not from our generation, we will remember him.""His songs have become classics, and his lyrics are so true, even if he is not from our generation, we will remember him."
Inside the parliament, two of the stars many children spoke during the service.Inside the parliament, two of the stars many children spoke during the service.
It is thought he could have as many as 84 children, although he only officially recognised 49, our reporter says.It is thought he could have as many as 84 children, although he only officially recognised 49, our reporter says.
One of his sons, the French rapper Youssoupha, said he worshipped his father's work as an artist.One of his sons, the French rapper Youssoupha, said he worshipped his father's work as an artist.
''He was the main inspiration for all the following generations of Congolese musicians, and will continue to be," he said.''He was the main inspiration for all the following generations of Congolese musicians, and will continue to be," he said.
"Could he have given a more extraordinary present to his culture than to make millions of Ivorians, Gabonese, Chadians, and even Cubans, sing in Lingala?''"Could he have given a more extraordinary present to his culture than to make millions of Ivorians, Gabonese, Chadians, and even Cubans, sing in Lingala?''
Tabu Ley was born in the western city of Bandundu more than 70 years ago - his exact date of birth is not known - first singing in church and school choirs.Tabu Ley was born in the western city of Bandundu more than 70 years ago - his exact date of birth is not known - first singing in church and school choirs.
His career took off shortly before the country's independence from Belgium in 1960 when he moved to Kinshasa.His career took off shortly before the country's independence from Belgium in 1960 when he moved to Kinshasa.
He went into exile in the 1980s during Mobutu Sese Seko's long rule, returning after his overthrow in 1997.He went into exile in the 1980s during Mobutu Sese Seko's long rule, returning after his overthrow in 1997.
The musician then went into politics, serving amongst other roles as a deputy governor of Kinshasa and a provincial cultural minister.The musician then went into politics, serving amongst other roles as a deputy governor of Kinshasa and a provincial cultural minister.
He died in hospital in Belgium on 30 November and had not been well for some time.He died in hospital in Belgium on 30 November and had not been well for some time.