This Wednesday, September 28, 2022 took place the wake of Ibo Simon, born on March 20, 1940 in Basse-Terre and died on September 24, 2022 in Le Gosier.
Thousands of people came to pay tribute to the singer, actor, television and radio host, city councillor and regional councillor between 2:00 pm and 11:00 pm in the kiosk located on the Place de la Victoire in Pointe-à-Pitre. Around the coffin, Ibo Simon’s original outfits made by designers had been exhibited. On a large poster, the population thanked him for all he brought to Guadeloupe. Ibo Simon’s family members who were very saddened, were present at this wake until the end.
In the end, many things that Ibo Simon did not want after his death or that he did not like were realized. Positions that he had taken with lucidity and claimed to anyone who would listen.
He did not want a big wake like the percussionist Marcel Lollia aka “Vélo” on the Place de la Victoire in Pointe-à-Pitre in 1984 because it was, he said, a ceremony which was “appropriated” by some people, but he was given a big wake on this same place.
He did not appreciate the current gwoka which was for him “rimé fès, rimé bonda” (move the buttocks, move the ass), he was given a big “koud tambou” in his ears or there was gwoka “kon chacha” (much), one of his favorite Creole words. Some fans (“Ibobians”, as he called them) were disappointed because they were only hoping to hear his music, all his successful melodies, during this wake… But can we organize a popular wake without the traditional gwoka music in Guadeloupe?
He wanted his body to rest a few hours after his death in the cemetery but he will have a religious ceremony in the church of Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul in Pointe-à-Pitre this Thursday, September 29, starting at 2:30 pm with people who did not necessarily like him during his lifetime.
For many people, it seemed difficult or inconceivable to let go in silence, without any tribute, a figure (even controversial) like Ibo Simon who marked Guadeloupe.
*All Ibo Simon wake videos are on our YouTube channel
