IRUELE MARIA(Hail Mary)

"Iruele Maria" is a vibrant choral setting of the Hail Mary in the Etsako language of Edo State. Composed by Obioha Ogbonna, the piece brings a distinct, rhythmic energy to the beloved Marian prayer, grounding the traditional Catholic devotion in an indigenous musical idiom.

The arrangement is built around a lively, recurring chorus that the whole choir and congregation can easily internalize. As the song progresses through the familiar text of the prayer—recognizably weaving in words like "gracia" and "Ijesu"—Ogbonna varies the choral textures beautifully. The second verse features a soaring alto solo that floats over a gentle, repeated choral ostinato, while the third verse hands the primary melody down to the tenors before the final refrain.

Choirs will find this piece especially fitting for Marian feasts, May devotions, and the month of the Rosary. Its rhythmic vitality makes it an excellent choice for an uplifting Offertory or a joyful meditation after Communion, offering a deeply localized and spirited way to ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.