Chiquitano New Testament (CAXWBT)

Overview

New Testament in Chiquitano, titled Manitanati Tuparrü, first published in 1980 by Liga Bíblica Internacional with text copyright held by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc., and revised in 2012. Chiquitano (also called Bésiro or Tarapecosi) is a language isolate — or possibly distantly related to the Macro-Jê family — spoken primarily in the Santa Cruz Department of eastern Bolivia, with smaller communities in Mato Grosso, Brazil. [1][2] Despite having a population of over 145,000 self-identified Chiquitano people (2012 census), the language is seriously endangered, with intergenerational transmission breaking down across many communities. [1] Historically, Chiquitano identity and the spread of the language emerged during the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos (1691–1760), when Jesuit missionaries used Chiquitano as the common language among converts from nearly fifty different tribes in the region; six of these mission settlements are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [3] The SIL Bolivia branch translated the New Testament into this language as part of a broader effort that produced Scripture portions in thirteen Bolivian indigenous languages. [4]

Language and People

Chiquitano (ISO 639-3: cax) is spoken by approximately 2,000 people in Bolivia. [Glottolog: chiq1248]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by WHBL, Riberalta. Translation type: First.

References