Enọyaemwan Tohanmwan

Chukwuma Mabi's "Enọyaemwan Tohanmwan" is a solemn, deeply moving penitential piece sung in the Bini (Edo) language. The title translates to a direct plea for God's mercy, and the score specifically marks it as a Lenten song, making it a perfect fit for that quiet season of reflection, fasting, and repentance.

The musical arrangement grounds this universal Catholic prayer in traditional Edo textures. Mabi sets the piece for an SSATB choir accompanied by a dedicated indigenous percussion ensemble (including the komkom, agogo, ukus, emighe, and ema). The female cantors lead the verses with heartfelt, vulnerable lines like "Ma rre kevbe ekhọe n'ọ ma hio" (We come to you with humble hearts), while the full choir responds in a rich, layered chorus. By the third verse, the choir settles into a steady, meditative ostinato of "Nọyaemwan tohan mwan" while the cantors float above it, crying out for pure hearts and the strength to love.

In the choir loft, this piece naturally belongs in the Penitential Rite of the Mass, especially during the austere Sundays of Lent. The combination of rhythmic traditional percussion and the earnest cry for forgiveness gives the congregation a deeply rooted, culturally resonant way to pray for grace and cleansing.