(SWEET PALM WINE) OTE NKWU

When a choir begins the rhythmic, interlocking chants of "Igbam chikili" and "Chin chin chin," audiences immediately know they are in for a treat. Arranged by the renowned Laz Ekwueme, "(Sweet Palm Wine) Ote Nkwu" is a vibrant celebration of Nigerian folk tradition. It captures the lively, communal atmosphere of village life, mimicking the sounds of the palm wine tapper at work and the joyful anticipation of sharing a fresh calabash of wine.

The piece is driven by a spirited tenor solo calling out to the tapper—"Ote nkwu, bute mmanya nkwuo"—asking him to bring the wine so the community can drink. The rest of the choir provides a rich, percussive backdrop, eventually breaking into a playful debate over whether they prefer "mmanya nkwu" (wine from the oil palm) or "mmanya ngwo" (wine from the raffia palm). The male voices take up their own robust section, adding deep, resonant textures to the arrangement. It is a staple of choral concerts and cultural festivals, loved by singers for its dynamic energy and authentic folk flavor.

Appended to the final page of this score is a brief, four-voice canon titled "Canon on a Moslem Song," which sets the Arabic declaration of faith, "La ila illa Allah." This short addition highlights the arranger's skill in weaving diverse cultural and religious expressions into the choral repertoire, offering a moment of reflective harmony after the exuberance of the palm wine celebration.