OBUYI TOHANMWAN

"Obuyi Tohanmwan" is a deeply moving choral prayer sung in the Edo language, calling upon God for mercy and deliverance. The title translates to a plea for the Glorious One to have pity on us, a theme that echoes throughout the piece as the choir asks God to save us and keep us from falling into sin ("ghe gi ma bibilode").

With its solemn, layered harmonies, this piece is beautifully suited for the Penitential Rite or as a reflective Offertory hymn. The arrangement weaves the voices together in a traditional call-and-response style, building a collective cry to "Osalobua" (God), "Baba" (Father), and "Jesu" (Jesus) for compassion. For congregations in Edo-speaking parishes, singing these words of supplication in their native tongue brings a profound sense of reverence and intimacy to the Mass.