NANAOWEI SISEI WÓ DIENENI

"Nanaowei Sisei Wó Dieneni" is a gentle, pleading setting of the Kyrie eleison, sung in the Ijaw language. Composed by Alphonsus Tenbebe, the piece carries the congregation through the Penitential Rite with a simple, repetitive melody that naturally draws the heart into a posture of repentance. The word "Nanaowei" calls upon God as the Creator and Lord, asking for His mercy and compassion before the Liturgy of the Word begins.

In the choir loft, this piece is straightforward to teach and highly effective for leading worship. The four-part harmony moves with a steady, solemn grace, allowing the voices to blend smoothly without overwhelming the prayerful mood. Following the traditional threefold structure of the Mass, the choir sings the first verse to the Father, substitutes "Kristi" for the second verse to address the Son, and returns to "Nanaowei" for the final invocation. It is a quiet, grounding way to open a Sunday Mass, inviting the whole church to seek God's grace together.