Peru mourns Creole singer Cavero

Peru is holding a day of mourning in honour of one of the country's most famous singers, Arturo "Zambo" Cavero who died on Friday. He was 68.

Thousands of people attended the singer's state funeral in Lima.

Cavero, an Afro-Peruvian, was renowned for his interpretation of Creole music, which combines Spanish-style guitar playing with African beats.

Cavero had several hits, including his most famous song Contigo Peru, or With You Peru.

'Our Pavarotti'

On Sunday, Peruvians formed long queues to pay homage at Lima's national museum where Cavero's body lay in state.

President Alan Garcia then posthumously awarded the singer the country's highest honour - the Order of the Sun.

"More than being a prodigious voice, our Pavarotti, he gave us his heart in every note, he oozed kindness and infected us with his affection. That's why we loved him," Mr Garcia said.

Few Peruvian artists are likely to have prompted such an outpouring of national grief, the BBC's Dan Collyns in Lima says.

A formidable giant of a man, Cavero died from complications due to obesity, our correspondent says.

He adds that the singer broke down racial and social barriers with his patriotic anthems, with which all Peruvians identified.