Veteran singer and cultural icon Vivian James Chuai, better known as Viviana Nyachan, has passed away in Juba, South Sudan, on 14 April 2026.
She died at Gurei Medical Clinic in Juba after a short illness. She is believed to have been in her early 60s.
Vivian was a prominent figure in South Sudan’s grassroots music scene. Her death marks the loss of one of South Sudan’s most influential musical voices. She was recently honoured during the 5th Derik Cultural Festival (DCF), which took place in Juba in November 2025, alongside trailblazers such as educationalist Professor Julia Aker, pioneering diplomat Salwa Gabriel, and drama and broadcasting pioneer Majorie Elianan.
Widely regarded as an influential cultural voice in the country, her music was broadcast on community radio and shared online, reaching audiences locally and across the diaspora. Her songs are known for promoting peace, social cohesion, and humanitarian values, while also exploring themes such as love and relationships, women’s empowerment, folk traditions, and devotional music.
Her most famous song, “Look at Me,” is widely associated with calls for restraint during times of conflict. Other well-known songs include “Wadakona,” “Amara,” “Raj Piny,” and “Hakuma Ta Mara.” She performed in both Chollo (Shilluk) and Arabic.
Many took to social media to mourn her passing, with tributes from fans and fellow artists highlighting her lasting impact on peace messaging through music.
Source: Eye Radio
