Kandawo New Testament (GAMWBT)

Overview

The Kandawo New Testament, titled "Jisas Kandjiyebe Wopake" in the vernacular, is a translation of the New Testament into the Kandawo language, also known as Narake, spoken by approximately 4,000 people in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea [1][2]. The translation was the work of Mack and Doris Graham, Wycliffe Bible Translators missionaries who settled among the Kandawo people in 1983 and began learning their language [3]. The Grahams faced severe opposition during their decades of service, including having their home vandalized, a second house dismantled and stolen piece by piece, and a third house burned to the ground, yet they persevered by building a fourth home and continuing the work [3]. Mark's Gospel was the first book translated, and the final book, Revelation, completed consultant checking at the beginning of 2013 [3]. On April 15, 2015, the completed New Testament was dedicated and delivered to the Kandawo people in a ceremony attended by translators Mack and Doris Graham and their adult children alongside Kandawo singers and dancers [3].

Language and People

Kandawo (ISO 639-3: gam) is spoken by approximately 4,000 people in Papua New Guinea, Map 9. [Glottolog: kand1303]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA.

References