Leenu Ya

"Leenu Ya" is a deeply reflective Igbo funeral hymn composed by Chukwudinka I.C. The title translates to a direct instruction: "Look at him" or "Look at her." It is a song that confronts the reality of death head-on, asking the congregation to gaze upon the departed and recognize the fragile, temporary nature of human life. The lyrics draw a sharp contrast between the person as they were—full of life, talking, and sharing meals just days ago—and the quiet stillness of the body lying before the altar today.

During a requiem Mass or burial service, this piece brings a sobering stillness to the church. The choir leads the faithful through verses that strip away the illusions of worldly permanence, reminding everyone that "Ụwa bụ ihe nkịtị" (the world is nothing). It is a communal meditation on mortality, culminating in a direct, personal challenge in the final verse. The song asks each listener to question who will be next—whether it might be me or you—and urges everyone to prepare their souls because time is running out.