OMALUGO

"Omalugo" is a delightful arrangement of a traditional Igbo folk tale by Jude Nnam. Instead of a standard liturgical hymn, this piece brings a classic village story to the choir loft, making it a favorite for cultural days, concerts, and special choir presentations. The song is driven by a lively Soprano solo that narrates the tale, while the rest of the choir provides a rhythmic, continuous "Omalugo" ostinato that mimics the groove of traditional African instruments.

The lyrics tell the humorous and moral story of a child whose mother gives them a yam and a snail to roast. The mother warns the child to roast the yam first, knowing that the water from the snail will extinguish the fire. Naturally, the child disobeys, roasts the snail first, and loses the fire—leading to a frantic search for a new flame and a funny encounter along the way. It is a brilliant example of how Nigerian choral music preserves indigenous storytelling, blending rich vocal harmony with cultural education and humor.