THE WAY WE WERE
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The Way We Were
Chapter Sixteen: OFO NDI BENDE NA AGO L’EKPERE HA N’EKPEKWA:
Translated by Williams I. Eke
1. Chineke, Obasi bu lelu, Obasi bu Lala
maanu nzu, bianu taa oji.
2. Ala ama anyi, Bende, Ndi ichie
bianu maa nzu, taa oji
3. Mmam ukwu la Mmam nta
bianu maa nzu, taa oji.
4. Nna nna anyi ha!
Unu biko bianu maa nzu, gworu oji la mayi, taanu,
nuokwanu.
5. Ihe anyi no la ime ya bu ka
Egbe beru, Ugo beru
Nke siri ibe ya eberula
Nku kwaa ya!
6. Ihe anyi zukoro n’ekperu bu
Ka ndi ghe vuruvuru zuo ndanda
7. O nabu ngwo gbajuo lelu
Ya ezuo onye no la ala
8. Biko unu gbachieru anyi azu
9. Nye anyi ogologo ndu la-ahu isike
10. O bu ya bu ihe anyi ji ekperu unu
11. Mhi…….Oji la mayi unu taa nuo.
12. Gozie Anyi.
[Alayi dialect].
The Bende Libation prayer written and translated into English by Williams I. Eke.