LEENU YA

"Leenu Ya" is a deeply moving Igbo funeral hymn that calls the congregation to reflect on the fragile reality of human life. Composed by I. C. Chukwudinka, the song is often sung by choirs during burial Masses and requiems. Its title, meaning "Look at him" or "Behold him," draws the eyes of the mourners to the reality of death, reminding the living that the departed was once just as they are, and that everyone will eventually walk the same path.

The verses carry a profound, sobering wisdom drawn from everyday life. The choir sings a striking proverb: when we carry another person's corpse, it can feel as detached as carrying dry wood—until we remember our own mortality. The later verses bring the grief closer to home, recalling how just a few days ago, the community was eating, drinking, and conversing with the person who now lies in state. It is a powerful moment in the liturgy that strips away earthly illusions, leaving the faithful with the poignant reminder that "uwa bụ ihe nkiti"—this world is vanity, and our ultimate hope rests beyond it.