E - GLORIA (Ziare)

When the choir strikes up "E - Gloria (Ziare)," a wave of energy immediately sweeps through the church. Rooted in the vibrant Congolese Mass tradition, this setting of the Gloria has become a beloved staple for Nigerian Catholic choirs. It takes the ancient angelic hymn of praise and grounds it in a deeply African rhythmic pulse, inviting the entire congregation to join in the celebration.

The melody is built on joyful repetition and a driving beat, with the word "nkembo" (glory) echoing brightly across the voices. As the sopranos lead the verses—praising God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit—the underlying harmonies provide a thick, rhythmic foundation that naturally calls for traditional drums and shakers. It is a piece that transforms the Gloria from a simple recitation into a true festival of thanksgiving.

Choirmasters often choose this setting for major feast days, Easter, and joyous Sunday Masses where the liturgy demands an outpouring of gladness. Singing "E - Gloria" is a physical experience as much as a vocal one; it is nearly impossible to sing the sweeping "gloria e, nkembo e" without swaying to the tempo. For the singers in the loft and the people in the pews, it perfectly captures the exultation of giving glory to God in the highest.