Name Guduuda 'Arwo | ||
Guduuda 'Arwo or Guduudo Carwo, 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.
History
Nicknamed "Guduuda 'Arwo" ("Red 'Arwo"), Shamis Abokor was recruited by Radio Hargeisa in 1953. 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.
At the height of her popularity, Guduuda 'Arwo performed love songs to audiences of thousands of fans.
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.