# Guduuda 'Arwo (Shamis Abokor Ismail)

> Guduuda 'Arwo (Shamis Abokor Ismail): Radio Hargeisa singer from 1953, first woman recording vocalist in the north.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/guduuda-arwo/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who was she?

Guduuda 'Arwo, also written Guduudo Carwo, was a Somali singer whose real name was Shamis Abokor Ismail ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guduuda_%27Arwo)). She sang for Radio Hargeisa in Hargeisa (same source). [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) declared independence in 1991; Israel recognised it on 26 December 2025; most states and the AU regard it as part of Somalia.

## Radio Hargeisa

Radio Hargeisa recruited her in 1953, and she used a false name so that her family, which the BBC described as "conservative", would not know she was singing ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guduuda_%27Arwo)). She sang her first heello song in August 1953, becoming the first woman recording vocalist in the [British Somaliland Protectorate](/en/history/british-somaliland-1884-1960/) and the Trust Territory (same source). Like Dalays before her, she faced criticism for this (same source).

## The quartet

In 1963 she formed a quartet with [Baxsan](/en/people/baxsan/), [Magool](/en/people/magool/) and Maandeeq ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guduuda_%27Arwo)). At her peak she sang love songs to audiences of thousands (same source). It was she who gave Baxsan her stage name ([Wikipedia, Baxsan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baxsan)). See [Somali music](/en/society/somali-music/).

## Later life

Her career ended after a stroke left her paralysed, and from around 1997 relatives cared for her ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guduuda_%27Arwo)). She died in Hargeisa in 2017, aged 85 (same source).

## In short

The first woman to record for Radio Hargeisa, who opened the way for Somali women singers.

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