IYAYI (Creed in Bini)

"Iyayi" is a majestic setting of the Nicene Creed in the Edo (Bini) language, composed by Ezomo John. In the Catholic Mass, the Creed is the shared profession of faith, and singing it in the local tongue brings its profound mysteries closer to home. This arrangement allows the choir to lead the congregation through the foundational truths of the Church, from the belief in one God the Father ("I y'Osa Okpa yi") to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ezomo John structures the piece to handle the long, narrative text of the Creed with clarity and reverence. The melody moves with a steady, deliberate pace, ensuring that every article of faith—including the incarnation through the Virgin Mary and the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate—is pronounced distinctly. As the song progresses through its four marked sections, the harmony supports the weight of the words, keeping the singers anchored in the solemnity of what they are proclaiming.

The final movement of the score gathers momentum as it declares belief in the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church, and the life of the world to come. It culminates in a resounding, repeated "I see O" (the Edo expression of Amen, written here phonetically). For a choir in the loft, delivering this final affirmation is a powerful moment, sealing the community's shared belief with a unified, joyful close.