Kuvi New Testament (KXVWFW)

Overview

The Kuvi (also called Kuwi or Kuvi Kond) are a Dravidian tribal people primarily found in Koraput district of Odisha, with speakers also in Kalahandi, Ganjam, and Phulbani districts and bordering areas of Andhra Pradesh. Approximately 255,000 people speak Kuvi. The language serves as a living vehicle for traditional knowledge, oral literature, and community identity among the Kondh people.

The first scripture in Kuvi was the Gospel of Luke in 1916. The Kuvi New Testament published in 2020 by The Word for the World International in partnership with the Kuvi Translation Samithi (based in Semiliguda, Koraput, Odisha) represents a major milestone — the first complete New Testament for the Kuvi-speaking community. The translation carries the vernacular title "ପୁଃନି ମେ଼ରା, କୁୱି ପୁଃନି ମେ଼ରା" (Puahni Mera, Kuwi Puahni Mera). IBT India's broader Kuvi project also contributed to scripture work for this community, including the release of the Gospel of Luke at Logos Camp in 2019.

Language and People

Kuvi (ISO 639-3: kxv) is a Dravidian language spoken by approximately 255,000 people in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, India. It is written in the Odia script.

Publishing and Organizations

Published by The Word for the World International and Kuvi Translation Samithi, Semiliguda, Koraput, Odisha, 2020.

References