Gumuz 2003 Edition (GUKBSE)

Overview

The Gumuz 2003 Edition is the first New Testament translation in the Gumuz language, published by the Bible Society of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in 2003. [1] The translation was the product of over a decade of work by an ecumenical team formed by the Bible Society of Ethiopia, composed of Jane Kiwi, a Catholic catechist from Gilgel Beles Parish; Deacon Thomas from the Orthodox Church; and Worku, a Protestant -- all native Gumuz speakers. [2] Comboni missionaries, who established a mission in the Gumuz area at Mandura in 2000, also contributed to linguistic work on the Gumuz language, with Sr. Yamileth Bolanos beginning language study with Gumuz informants and Fr. Marco Innocenti later publishing the first grammar of the Northern Gumuz language (Mandura variant) in 2010. [3]

Language and People

Gumuz (ISO 639-3: guk) is spoken by approximately 249,000 people, primarily in the Metekel Zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of western Ethiopia, along the border with Sudan. [1] The language has traditionally been classified as part of the Nilo-Saharan family, though some linguists consider this classification uncertain. [4] [Glottolog: gumu1244]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Bible Society of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Translation type: First. The Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ) and Comboni Sisters also contributed to linguistic and pastoral work among the Gumuz people. [3]

References