CHRIST IS THE KING

Yesterday again we took to the streets, to the highways and byways drumming, chanting and dancing. The proclamation was very clear: "CHRIST IS THE KING." 

The dancing was vigorous. The chants were resounding and the joy was tremendous.

But what struck me the most was the indigenization. The slow, steady and simple way through which we have made Christ our own. We gave him VISA long ago when He was brought by the missionaries. We monitored Him for a while then accepted Him. We kept renewing His VISA and then finally we granted him citizenship. He became our own and no longer a western introduction.

Westerners would have marched in a single file singing dull and solemn hymns in procession. But we, NO!!!!! What they denied us in Masquerade entertainment we have found a way to exercise. Infact we even called Jesus the Masquerade stronger than other masquerades thus setting the stage for our traditional activities.
The dancing and name-dropping for Jesus yesterday was epic. Names like King of kings and Lord of Lords were too western, too outdated. We called him in our native tongues: ODOGWU KARIRI ODOGWU (Chief masquerade), OZOWARA ONAAA (March and go), AGADA GBACHIRI UZO ( road block ), BABA NLA (big father), AJA NLA (big fish).
Have you ever been to a king's Ofala? Yesterday's ofala was unmatchable both in terms of entertainment and spirituality.
The young man beside me at one time was a truly converted ancient masquerade. His dance steps let him out easily. His roars of praise was more 'pagan' than Christian. He introduced our Lord with the sound 'okoko-ko-kooooooooo'- an incarnational sound for the introduction of masquerades in the village. But it gladdened my heart to know that his was for the TRUE MASQUERADE.
The roars and chants were so loud they almost silenced the solemn recitations of the flower girls. I drew closer and listened more intently. In unison and adoration they echoed:

"O SACRAMENTUM SANCTISSIMUM (O SACRAMENT MOST HOLY)

O SACRAMENTUM DIVINUM ( O SACRAMENT DIVINE)

OMNES LAUS ET GLORIA TIBI SIT, IN SECULA SECULORUM ( ALL PRAISE AND ALL THANKSGIVING, BE EVERY MOMENT THINE).

Truly He deserves all praise. And the solemn recitations from these innocent girls blessed our numerous joyous agitations and 'mbems'.
Christ is ours and so we worship Him traditionally.