Nana'wei Wo Dineini

"Nana'wei Wo Dineini" is a gentle, deeply reverent setting of the Kyrie eleison, sung in the Ijaw language. During the Penitential Rite, this piece helps the congregation center themselves, offering a moment of quiet reflection and a plea for God's mercy before the Mass moves into the joy of the Gloria. The melody carries a natural, pleading quality that feels right at home in the early moments of Sunday worship.

The arrangement by BEAG uses a traditional four-part harmony that is accessible yet moving. While the opening "Nana'wei" sections move together in a unified, solemn block, the "Kristi" section introduces a beautiful staggered entry. The lower voices initiate the plea, with the sopranos and altos joining moments later, creating a sense of voices echoing each other across the choir loft.

With its clear structure and return to the opening theme, this Kyrie is easy for a choir to learn and for a congregation to absorb. It is a wonderful choice for Catholic choirs looking to bring the solemnity and beauty of the Ijaw language into their liturgy.