Ondu Chejumomi Wa

This handwritten score features two distinct pieces by Matthew O. Idegeli, prepared for the Idah Deanery Choir. The first section, "Ondu Chejumomi Wa," is a reverent setting of the Kyrie in the Igala language. With its gentle, pleading melody, it guides the congregation through the Penitential Rite, asking for God's mercy at the beginning of Mass. The repeated phrases allow the choir and the people to settle into a spirit of sincere reflection before the Liturgy of the Word begins.

The second piece on the page, "Juma Dama Tokate," shifts the mood entirely, offering a rhythmic and steady song of praise. Choirs often use this kind of lively indigenous composition to bring energy to the liturgy, celebrating faith in a musical style that feels close to home. Together, these two short pieces provide a choir with both a solemn prayer for mercy and a joyful expression of thanks, capturing the natural emotional range of Sunday worship.