Yanomamö Bible (GUUMJR)

Overview

The Yanomamö New Testament was translated by New Tribes Mission missionaries working among the Yanomamö people of southern Venezuela. Joe and Millie Dawson arrived in Venezuela in 1953, helped develop the Yanomamö alphabet, and began Bible translation in 1973; the first New Testament was completed in 1984. [1][2] Margaret Jank (1939-2016), a Canadian NTM missionary who spent 44 years among the Yanomamö, continued translation work after her husband's death in 1984. [3] In February 2006, missionaries were expelled from Venezuela by President Hugo Chávez; Jank took her computer and printer to continue finishing translation work after expulsion. [4] Bible portions had been available from 1961. [5]

Translators and Contributors

  • Joe Dawson (1920-2011) — New Tribes Mission missionary, served 57 years in Venezuela. Developed Yanomamö alphabet and began Bible translation. [1][2]
  • Millie Dawson (d. 2021) — Co-translator alongside Joe. [2]
  • Margaret Jank (1939-2016) — Canadian NTM missionary, 44 years among the Yanomamö. Continued translation after expulsion from Venezuela. [3]

Language and People

Yanomamö (ISO 639-3: guu) is spoken by approximately 16,200 people in Northwestern Brazil. [Glottolog: yano1261]

Publishing and Organizations

Published by Margaret Jank.

References