Guduuda 'Arwo

Guduuda 'Arwo^[1] or Guduudo Carwo,^[2] real name Shamis Abokor, is a Somali singer. She was a vocalist for Radio Hargeisa in Somalia, based out of Hargeisa in the northwestern Somaliland region.^[1]

History

Nicknamed "Guduuda 'Arwo" ("Red 'Arwo"), Shamis Abokor was recruited by Radio Hargeisa in 1953.^[1] She sang her first heello song in August of that year, becoming the first female recording vocalist in northern Somalia. According to Johnson (1996), 'Arwo encountered criticism for this, as Dalays had prior to her.^[2]

At the height of her popularity, Guduuda 'Arwo performed love songs to audiences of thousands of fans.^[3]

Her career ended after she suffered a stroke and became paralysed. Since around 1997, she has been under the care of relatives. Her United Kingdom-based daughter also sends remittances to her through the Dahabshiil money transfer operator. As of September 2013, she is 78 years old.^[3]

Notes

1. Mukhtar, p. 91.
2. Johnson, p. 76.
3. Popham, Peter (15 September 2013). "Why Barclays wants to cut Somalia’s 'money transfer' lifeline". The Independent. Retrieved 22 December 2014.

See also

• Music of Somalia

References

• Johnson, John William. Heelloy: Modern Poetry and Songs of the Somali. Indiana University Press, 1996. ISBN 1874209812, 9781874209812.
• Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji. Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press, 25 February 2013. ISBN 0810866048, 9780810866041.