ONYE KA ONWU?

"Onye Ka Ọnwụ?" is a deeply reflective Igbo funeral hymn that asks a sobering question: Who is greater than death? Sung during burials and requiem Masses, the piece serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality. The lyrics compare our time on earth to a bustling market—everyone makes their purchases and eventually must return home. It calls on the living to remember that we are but dust and ashes, urging the faithful to prepare their souls for the inevitable day of judgment.

Kelvin C. Anozie's composition carries a solemn, contemplative weight that resonates through the choir loft. The verses move from a stark meditation on the fragility of life to a heartfelt plea for divine mercy. In the final stanza, the song shifts into a prayer, asking God to remember the departed soul and write their name in the Book of Life. For a congregation mourning a loved one, this hymn offers both a profound reality check and a comforting turn toward God's saving grace.