Kamo New Testament (2024)
Overview
The Kamo New Testament is the complete New Testament (27 books) in the Kamo language of Nigeria, published in 2024. The YouVersion edition (ID 3938) is copyrighted to the Luke Initiative for Scripture Translation, with The Seed Company acting as the publishing and distribution partner. The Seed Company is a Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliate that accelerates Bible translation by partnering with local organizations; the Luke Initiative is a translation-focused ministry concentrating on NT completion for smaller language communities. This NT is the first complete Scripture in Kamo.
Language and People
Kamo (ISO 639-3: kcq; autonym: Ma — the people call themselves "the Ma people") is an Adamawa language of the Niger-Congo family, belonging to the Waja-Kam branch within the broader Adamawa grouping. The Waja-Kam languages are spoken across the highlands of northeastern Nigeria (primarily Gombe State), including closely related languages such as Tula (spoken in Kaltungo LGA, Gombe State), Waja, Bangwinji, Dadiya, and others. Kamo is most closely related to other members of the Tula language cluster within the Waja-Kam grouping.
The Kamo-speaking people (the Ma) inhabit communities in northeastern Nigeria's Middle Belt, in a zone where Christian, Muslim, and traditional religion communities coexist. The broader Adamawa language zone of northeastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon is an area of significant linguistic diversity and has been the focus of extensive SIL and Seed Company translation work.
Publishing and Organizations
Published by The Seed Company in partnership with the Luke Initiative for Scripture Translation. The Seed Company (founded 1993 as a Wycliffe Bible Translators affiliate) focuses on accelerating NT completion for languages that lack Scripture; they partner with local organizations who lead translation with Seed Company providing consultant services, funding, and distribution. The Luke Initiative specializes in the completion of New Testaments for minority languages.