Sudan Mourns Death of Sudanese Singer Setona

Egypt-based Sudanese singer Setona has passed away in Cairo, Egypt on 8 September 2020. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

رحيل الفنانة #ستونا في القاهرة
تعازينا لأسرتها و أصدقائها و جمهورها الصبر والسلوان وان يسكن الفقيدة فسيح جناته 🌺. pic.twitter.com/dXdTT0C3Nb

— © AbdulRahman Al-Nazeer (@3bdudes) September 8, 2020

الفنانة “ستونا” في ذمة الله ..و زوجها ينعيها “سابكيكي بنص عمري واتصدق بالباقي …. – https://t.co/nbhgsiH9Jk pic.twitter.com/sC5873zZJA

— صحيفة كورة سودانية (@koorasudan12) September 8, 2020

Setona became known to the Arab world through her song “Chocolata” in the famous Egyptian movie “Se’edy fel Gam’a Al Amrikeya” (“An Upper Egyptian In The American University”) where she played herself and also sang another hit-song “Henna”. In her acting career, Setona landed roles alongside well-known Egyptian actors such as Adel Emam and Mohammed Henedi. Moreover, she has performed with the avant-garde Egyptian theatrical group El Tali’aa, both in Cairo and abroad.

Born and raised in Kordofan, Setona moved to Cairo, Egypt with her husband Ahmed in the late 1980s where she has established herself as one of the most popular traditional singers, henna artist, and wedding consultant for traditional wedding ceremonies such as the henna night. Known as the “Queen of Henna”, she offered brides with advice on traditional wedding customs and practices, and teaches old wedding songs, keeping tradition alive. In addition, she performs, playing traditional drums and other instruments.

Having started as a singer accompanied by only a drum, Setona released two albums, African Crossroads: Tariq Sudan (1997) and Queen of Henna (2004). She then fronted a 14-member big band, consisting of keyboard, guitar, bass, percussion, brass section and a backing choir, that played in the heart of downtown Cairo at the Egyptian Center for Culture and Arts – Makan.

The news of her death was quickly circulated on social media on 8 September, where many social media users mourned her death including celebrities such as Egyptian actor Mohammed Henedy, Saudi journalist Bassam Fitani and Egyptian filmmaker Saadoun.

ربنا يرحمك ياستونه يارب
البقاء لله pic.twitter.com/e2r7rvNH3g

— Mohamed Henedy (@OfficialHenedy) September 8, 2020

وفاة الفنانة السودانية #ستونا رحمها الله
وأشهر دور قامت به كان مع عادل امام في فيلم بخيت وعديلة (هاللو أمريكا) pic.twitter.com/FLeRs4c77W

— بسام فتيني (@bassam4071) September 8, 2020

الفنانة السودانية #ستونا في ذمة الله
إنا لله وإنا اليه راجعون#السودان pic.twitter.com/pPe5cI0ltr

— Saadoun | سعدون (@SaadounFilm) September 8, 2020

لا ياخي…. مافي مناسبة في مصر ستونا ما كانت حاضرة. الله ارحمك.
I interviewed her once & she was beyond sweet, when I asked her if she really did do henna for Prince (yes the Prince) she giggled and said yes him and his wife. May she rest in peace https://t.co/6T4eK4yx4p

— dalliasd (@dalliasd) September 8, 2020

رحيل الفنانة السودانية #ستونة بالقاهرة
لها الرحمة و المغفرة pic.twitter.com/15c72H2uJS

— ‏هاشتاق السودان 🇸🇩 (@hash_sudan) September 8, 2020