OBUYI TOHANMWAN

"Obuyi Tohanmwan" is a deeply moving Edo choral prayer that centers on a profound plea for God's mercy and salvation. Written with rich, weaving vocal parts, the song is a heartfelt cry for divine guidance and protection. The lyrics call upon the Almighty—the one who owns us and holds all power ("Eno yeanmwan nomwemtin hia")—asking Him not to let us lose our way ("Ghegima bibiode") and to deliver us from the evils of this present world ("Vba'gbon rukho na").

In the Catholic liturgy, this piece serves beautifully during the Penitential Rite as a solemn Kyrie, or as a dedicated prayer of supplication. As the choir builds through the overlapping phrases, calling on Jesus the Great ("Jesu no bua") and the Father ("E Baba tohima"), it draws the congregation into a space of genuine reflection and surrender. The intricate solfa arrangement allows the different voice parts to echo each other's pleas, creating a powerful, resonant atmosphere of reverence from the choir loft to the pews.