EKWEM N'OTU CHUKWU

"Ekwem N'otu Chukwu" is a steadfast and joyful setting of the Creed, composed by Tony Ekpo for Igbo-speaking Catholic congregations. The title translates to "I believe in one God," and the piece serves as the profession of faith during the Mass. It opens with a bright, unified chorus that declares belief in the Almighty Father, Creator of heaven and earth, before moving into nine distinct verses that walk through the core mysteries of the Christian faith.

In the choir loft, this piece is often a favorite because of how it structures the long text of the Nicene Creed. Instead of a single through-composed chant, Ekpo breaks the profession into stacked verses that return to the central refrain. This allows the congregation to anchor themselves in the opening declaration while the choir leads the narrative—from Christ’s incarnation and crucifixion under Pontius Pilate to the resurrection and the promise of the world to come. It brings a rhythmic, communal energy to a solemn part of the liturgy, making the shared declaration of faith feel both personal and deeply rooted in the gathered assembly.