Sudan’s cultural scene is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures, as renowned artist and music researcher Abdel Gader Salem passed away on Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025, at the age of 79, following a career that spanned decades of artistic and academic contribution.
The news of his death was announced by his son in a video message, confirming that funeral prayers and burial will take place at Hamad al Nil cemetery in Omdurman, with a large turnout expected from admirers, artists, and cultural figures.
Abdel Gader Salem was regarded as one of the pillars of Sudanese music since the 1970s. He played a central role in documenting and popularising the traditional music of the Kordofan region, presenting it in contemporary forms that established him as both an artistic and cultural reference.
His musical legacy includes more than 40 works officially recorded with Sudanese radio, in addition to filmed performances preserved in the archives of national television.
Beyond performance, Salem distinguished himself as an academic researcher in folk music. He delivered studies, seminars, and scholarly papers that made significant contributions to preserving and documenting Sudan’s musical heritage.
Throughout his career, he received several honours and awards, including the Silver Medal of Sciences and Arts in 1976 and the State Encouragement Award in 1983, in recognition of his artistic and intellectual achievements.
Salem also gained international recognition, representing Sudan at major music festivals across Europe, Asia, and Africa from 1984 onwards, bringing Sudanese musical traditions to global audiences.
With his passing, Sudan loses a voice that helped shape its modern musical identity and a researcher who played a vital role in safeguarding its cultural memory. His artistic and academic legacy remains deeply embedded in the collective memory of generations and in the hearts of his listeners.
