Bena (Tanzania) Bible (BEZWBT)

Overview

The Bena New Testament, titled "Ulufingo uLupiya," was dedicated on May 26, 2023, after an 18-year translation project that began in 2004. The primary translator was Pastor Joshua Mhelela. [1] A previous New Testament had been printed in 1920, but it used one of seven Bena dialects not understood by most speakers and had outdated language and orthography. [1] The Bena are one of Tanzania's largest people groups, living in the mountains of southwestern Tanzania (Iringa Region). The project began with orthography development, followed by early publications of the Gospel of Mark, Ruth, and Jonah before the complete New Testament. Churches of multiple denominations contributed to the project, and Old Testament translation is planned. [1]

References