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
— © AbdulRahman Al-Nazeer (@3bdudes) September 8, 2020
تعازينا لأسرتها و أصدقائها و جمهورها الصبر والسلوان وان يسكن الفقيدة فسيح جناته 🌺. pic.twitter.com/dXdTT0C3Nb
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
— Mohamed Henedy (@OfficialHenedy) September 8, 2020
البقاء لله pic.twitter.com/e2r7rvNH3g
وفاة الفنانة السودانية #ستونا رحمها الله
— بسام فتيني (@bassam4071) September 8, 2020
وأشهر دور قامت به كان مع عادل امام في فيلم بخيت وعديلة (هاللو أمريكا) pic.twitter.com/FLeRs4c77W
الفنانة السودانية #ستونا في ذمة الله
— Saadoun | سعدون (@SaadounFilm) September 8, 2020
إنا لله وإنا اليه راجعون#السودان pic.twitter.com/pPe5cI0ltr
لا ياخي…. مافي مناسبة في مصر ستونا ما كانت حاضرة. الله ارحمك.
— dalliasd (@dalliasd) September 8, 2020
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
رحيل الفنانة السودانية #ستونة بالقاهرة
— هاشتاق السودان 🇸🇩 (@hash_sudan) September 8, 2020
لها الرحمة و المغفرة pic.twitter.com/15c72H2uJS
