South Sudanese singer Vivian Nyachan, known for her peace-oriented songs, has died in the capital, Juba, following a short illness, her family said. She was in her early 60s.
Her family said Nyachan, whose full name is Vivian James Chuai, died at Gurei Medical Clinic on Tuesday evening. They described her death as sudden.
Nyachan, who hailed from Upper Nile State, was a prominent figure in South Sudan’s grassroots music scene and was widely known for songs promoting peace and social cohesion. Her work was regularly played on community radio stations and performed at cultural events across the country.
She was best known for her song “Look at Me,” which circulated widely during periods of conflict and was associated with calls for restraint and the protection of civilians, including women, children, farmers and fishermen.
She performed mainly in the Chollo (Shilluk) language and Arabic, blending traditional folk styles with contemporary arrangements. Her repertoire included love songs, folk music, women’s empowerment themes and devotional pieces.
Nyachan’s music also reached wider audiences through informal online distribution, including YouTube, where songs such as “Wadakona,” “Amara,” “Raj Piny” and “Hakuma Ta Mara” were shared among listeners in South Sudan and the diaspora.
Following news of her death, tributes were shared on social media by fans and fellow musicians, who described her as an influential and powerful voice in communities across South Sudan.
Her family said funeral and burial arrangements would be announced later.
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